At first I thought this was just cute...then I realized the awful truth
of it. Be sure to read all the way to the end! Just amazing

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid..

Put these words
upon his tomb,
' Taxes drove me to my doom...'
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
It's time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CD L license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Privilege Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Use Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax


STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the
most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the
world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians?' And I still
have to 'press 1' for English!?!?!?!?

That made me sick to my stomach. I know we pay taxes, but, that just really brought it home that we are taxed on pretty much EVERYTHING. Some states tax food and clothes even. They are necessities.

Every time we pay our phone, cable, water, whatever bills....there are taxes there, too. Awful.....it's just too much.

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

bothers the heck out of me, especially death taxes/inheritance tax. Uh, that money has already been taxed AT LEAST once before....sure, let's tax it again! That's why " gifting" your family money before you die is so important. Otherwise, you lose so much in taxes

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

1st -- There is a difference between a fee/permit and a tax. I don't fish or hunt. (permit/fee) Nor do I smoke or drink, and I am glad those that do are more responsible for the extra costs that result from those using those items.
2nd -- Exactly how much fuel and telephone usage was going on 100 yrs ago.
3rd --- Taxes aren't new. I seem to remember something about tea and a little party in Boston.
4th -- What does speaking English have to do with taxes?

And, lastly, 1909 wasn't one of the best of times .............

This is Wiki -- I won't verify ... BUT "By 1918, the top rate of the income tax was increased to 77% (on income over $1,000,000) to finance World War I."

Wouldn't it be nice if we had done that to finance OEF/OIF? Seriously. The rich are the ones who stand to lose the most if our precious "way of life" is threatened.

Here's more Wiki on the tax history of the US. Apparently, taxes aren't so new at all. Taxation in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And, I happen to take comfort in the fact there is SS and Medicare to help care for our elders. My guess is it will be means based and I won't qualify by the time I am that age, but I am fine with that as well. Those who don't might want to convince their parents/grandparents/or themselves to start giving the money and services back.

Since I was the one who decided to post this, I will say that I got this in an email and found it to be very interesting, and wanted to share it....knowing full well that someone would more than likely try to turn it into a debate. Which...is fine. With that being said I do realize that not all of the listed taxes would have been relavent 100 years ago, I think that what it is hinting at is that we are being taxed to the hilt now....and how crazy some of the taxes are. I guess I am able to read it and not feel the need to argue every little detail, because I get the point it was trying to make. Just my opinion, but I think our Country is in trouble today because of our so called *leaders*. As for Medicare and SS, I doubt it will be around much longer....I don't think I will ever see one penny from the government of what I have paid in when it comes time for me to retire. They are too busy giving it away, mostly to those who have not earned it. Kind of sad...

The poem was cute. The lies and exagerations were not.

Yawn. Simplistic and lame.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

Can you please tell me who the "they" that are giving away SS and Medicare are? Seriously.

And, who that receive SS or Medicare aren't deserving? Particularly since you believe "most" who receive it haven't earned it.

Just curious. Do you have neighbors or friends who are frauds? You should report them.

There is no "Trust Fund" or "Lock Box" when it comes to the money being paid into the treasury through that line item on our taxes that is attributable to social security and medicare.

That money is going to finance current government operations... and I assume that various social programs in which those who are not working receive funding are part of the government operations that benefit from social-security-associated withholdings.

Are you saying the OP believes most of the people who receive federal assistance are undeserving and thus denying him/her of her so deserved SS/Medicare? People on this board talk all the time about getting unemployment, receiving WIC, getting by on food stamps when unemployed, asking about workman comp claims, SS for children, SSI for disability, etc. Do you believe the OP believes people on this board are undeserving, since the OP believes MOST people are undeserving and you believe the OP is referring to people who aren't working but who receive funds.

My youngest son recently died. Had he lived, he would have been one of those receiving social program funds and wouldn't have been working. Perhaps you and the OP want to blame all our problems on those who have no choice. Because, if you look at the statistics, those are the MOST people who don't work but receive funds. Scape goats are nice when your world is black and white.

People on this site have kids that receive SSI. They certainly haven't "earned" it?

I sincerely don't want to get into a screaming match with you about who 'deserves' it and who doesn't. I would hope that we are all compassionate enough not to want those truly unable to fend for themselves to go without.

There is an individual in my town who seems like a nice enough guy. He has not worked since I met him about eight years ago. He is on disability because of a back injury. He has completely tilled and replanted grass in his yard. He has installed new windows in their home (he did the carpentry). I realize that he is sometimes in pain and that he is seizing the moments when he feels good enough to work and taking on big projects when he can.

I don't understand why he can't get *any* job. His brain still functions fine. His hands function fine. I know people who take orders for QVC from home. There are people who work for chacha. I think the system provides a real disincentive for him to figure out how to be a working American again.

I have a relative who has not worked for ten years. He was denied disability because they could find nothing wrong with him. His wife went back to work and is supporting them herself. He spends the day volunteering at his kid's school, helping neighbors, working on projects at their church, etc. He is around 40 years old. I think it is crazy that he is able to do all of those things, yet not able to work. He is NOT getting government assistance, and they have found a way to make it (albeit without lots of extras).... and I am grateful that uncle sam didn't put him on the role, because obviously it wasn't *necessary* for their family. Even if he had been disabled, obviously as a family unit, they *can* make it without social security income...so were he like the first guy I referenced, I'd be really annoyed. Simply, they don't *need* government disability payments. They are making it without them. Whining about not getting them... but making it nonetheless.

Those are the situations I am talking about...

Seriously, I think the point is governments usually make very inefficient middle men. If you were allowed to keep all of the money you earn (both taxes and usage fees, because they are really ALL just still taxes) you would have enough to help take care of those loved ones that can't fully take care of themselves.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

We pay taxes on anything you can eat or drink. we also pay extra taxes on our tags for the schools ( 2% of the total cost of tag ) we also pay city taxes on gas plus the state taxes. Years ago I looked my state up to compare where we stood on paying taxes vs other states we ranked 4th in the highest taxes. I'm just wondering when they are going to start taxing for the air we are breathing here.

In response to nightowlrn - Yeah, I do think that there ARE some people on here who seem to be getting assistance from various programs because they feel they are entitled to it. And I do wonder how come so much tragedy seems to hit them, but not impact their ability to afford a PC/laptop and an ISP...yeah, I do. Is this MOST? Definitely no, but there are SOME that really make ya wonder.

The periodic estimation of SSI benefits that comes in the mail is laughable. Why do they set people's expectation that they will get that money....and make them less likely to save for themselves as they should. And it's probably easy to overlook the fact that the estimated benefit is if you keep working at your current income level until retirement age.....anyways...I digress. But yeah, after paying in the max year after year after year, it would be nice to get a little something back - if it isn't all spent away elsewhere.

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Bingo! Government is running us into the ground. I feel the point that the poem was trying to make is that over the years, the problems have increased and that the way the government has run this country is the main reason why! I think most of us agree that things are not going well, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better...

The *they* that I was referring to would be our wonderful elected officials. Seriously..
As to who receives benefits who aren't deserving? I believe that there are many people getting benefits they should NOT be receiving. If you feel differently, that is fine, but it doesn't change my feelings about the way our government hands money out!
Now onto my neighbors and friends. My friends all work, and pay into the government to help pay for those who want something for nothing (and yes..they are out there). As for reporting fraud. I actually have indeed done just that. I have family (I am ashamed to admit it) that are third generation welfare. Somehow they have managed to reproduce at an amazing rate, not work and live in houses better than mine.
I don't expect you to agree with me, or even understand my point of view. But it is what it is, and I believe our government is deeply flawed and I for one am very nervous about where we are heading. *Some* people need to accept more responsibility for their own lives, stop expecting handouts and get off their butts...

I don't want to blame all our problems on those who have no choice. In fact, just the opposite is true. I blame it on those who make the decisions..our government. I realize that there are truly disabled people (my mother was one of them). It is a needed program, but there has got to be a better way to monitor, or at least make sure that the truly disabled are the ones getting help. I think many of our programs are flawed...

I don't think the focus should even be on the people that might be getting help that shouldn't. I think that it's really not that much in the grand scope of things, considering what little these programs dole out. It's the MIDDLEMAN part of it. . .administration, overhead, salaries. . .. .blah blah blah. . .that are wasteful and getting bigger everyday.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm