OCR Text |
Show Commentary SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS MONDAY MARCH 25. 1991 Guest Column 5 Sacred Cows In America? On The Write Track By DOUG HEATON After a recent session when I got started on the project of figuring my income tax, my thoughts returned to strong feelings I have held for some time on the subject of taxes. Theres a simple solution to the myriad evils, complexities, and frustration s of our tax system. It is high time to forget the special interests and protection of bureaucracy, bite the bullet, and switch to a flat tax. The idea is that each American who has income from any source would pay a simple percent ofhis income to support our federal government, without any exemptions, deductions, or adjustments. No dodging of any kind allowed, is the basic point of the plan. The most compelling rationale for a flat tax is that it is straightforward and fair, and promotes responsibility and honesty, contrary to the present system that invites dishonesty and cheating. Under the present system, youre considered a fool if you dont look for ways to get out of paying. And we have years upon years of deductions, exemptions, and adjustments added to benefit all kinds of special interest groups and causes. The system has become so complex and technical that the people who can afford attorneys and accountants are the ones who avoid the greatest share of the burden, leaving more and more to the average citizen. With a simple flat tax that is clearly and equitably borne by all citizens, people would pay their fair share willingly because of the basic justice involved. Think of the amount of money that could be saved by the kind of scale-bac- k that could be made in the Internal Revenue Service bureacracy. With the simplicity of the forms and procedures, the army of IRS agents and personnel could be whacked to barebones. The IRS effort could be focused on one area identifying all areas of income and making sure people report all their income sources. I dont know what the percent would need to be, but I know th at, un der a plan full-collecti- on Letters Continued from page 4 I stare at the sign wondering, how can this be? Nowhere in New York can I buy three pounds of cantaloupe for one dollar. Mistaking my amazement over the bargain for inability to do math, the produce clerk says, Maam, thats 34 cents a pound." At the checkout I remember something I forgot and the cashier tells me to go back and achieve their objective seems fall block the escape routes. Birds Alton which rely on seeds from grasses By Jeanette Rusk justified. In India where portions of the We all love to be in the forest are not found in abundance in that allowed no escape, the ac- population periodically starve, I have driven hundreds of times the virgin forest. In fact the only tual percent paid could be re- and are in a continual state of through the Kaibab National ones who do well are the roduced for a majority of taxpay- malnutrition, there are numer- Forest and looked out through dents. The virgin forest is kind ers. ous fat cattle which roam the the tall trees near Jacob Lake. It of a rats nest hardly a nice A variation of this plan could countryside free from the fear of always gives me the urge to take place for a picnic. be used to make it more pro- being eaten by humans. They out my lunch and go eat on the I know that this sounds awful, and to the are tradition a tree. under and Arent that Im probably bursting help perhaps gressive protected by grass virgin alleviate the worsening problem that cattle are someones rein- forests wonderful! The kicker is some bubbles. My wife didnt of poverty and widening income carnated relatives. These cattle that this is not a virgin forest It believe what Im describing eidisparity in our country. We are allowed to wander wherever has been cut over once and in ther until she saw it. In her could decide to simply not tax they will. If one becomes ag- some places several times. Most words, It is incredibly dark and people below a certain income gressive and harms a person, no people have never seen a real gloomy." Let me continue. As the virgin forest ages, and level, or we could decide to raise action is taken, for it is against virgin forest We are all familiar with the the deadfall increases, Mother the percentage as income rises. the law to interfere with the romantic image portrayed by Nature prepares for her harvest However, I think I would sacred cow. tax we flat to the America in Unfortunately prefer see writers, of the hero who wan- Every year scores of lightning straight because it means everyone has are also plagued by a few sacred ders through the beautiful vir- strikes occur in the forest Sooner to pay something, but the cows." Among these is the tra- gin forest gazing at the wonders or later one of these will start a amount naturally rises with in- dition, developed over the past of nature. Those authors prob- major fire and the harvest has come level, simply as a function several decades, that Mother ably havent seen virgin forests begun. The abundance of deadNature know best" that any either. of percent. fall is a continuous trail to follow, Some people say charities human interference with the Ive been in virgin forests and causes the fire to become would suffer without the tax natural environment is detri- several times. Let me describe a extremely hot Almost nothing writeoff for contributions. This mental to the earth and should virgin forest: Due to the survival survives. The live trees are unmight be true in the short term, be prohibited, or at least cur- of the fittest policy of Mother able to withstand the heat The but in the longer term, the sys- tailed. Nature, there is intense compe- small animals cannot run far or Brace yourself because Im tition among plants for the lim- fast enough. Many of the larger tem certainly would find ways to adjust. Perhaps charitable about to commit the sacrilege of ited resources of sunlight, water animals become trapped in the at a sacred and space. Trees sprout from deadfall. A few animals will esinstitutions wouldnt be needed taking a pot-shcow. the ground veiy close to one an- cape but that is all. The harvest were much the if as inequities NaMother is moral fiber reduced. Perhaps our other, but as they grow larger is complete. Nothing is left but My thesis that would be strengthened ifthe true ture is a lousy housekeeper who there isnt enough space, water black stumps and the crisp carspirit of charity replaced the follows the course of least resis- or light to go around. The weaker casses of dead animals. Mother search for tax deductions and tance, and that there is little trees die and eventually fall. The Nature starts over. But thats that Mother Nature does natu- stronger ones continue to com- okay because Mother Nature shelters. Back to a thought about me rally that careful humans cannot pete, being gradually weeded out knows best right? A couple of years ago we witthe individual taxpayer trying improve upon. The result ofgood by the com petition. The result is to deal with the IRS monster. management is a better envi- a forest full of deadfall and nessed the natural harvest of One of my thoughts as I was ronment for everyone and ev- standing dead trees. The fallen the great Yellowstone National trees crisscross one another, Forest which caught fire and getting organized to face the erything including Mother excelonerous annual task is that becoming deeper and deeper. burned to the ground. Attempts theres something wrong with lent example. Mother Nature is Those on the ground gradually to save the forest were thwarted the system when a reasonably taking care of it In contrast Mr. rot, the upper jayers waiting for by two things. The first was the intelligent person cant figure it Browns down the road he the ones below to disintegrate. abundance of deadfall. The secGrasses and shrubs are scarce ond was the sacred cow a out and dohis own taxes, instead spends hours each week maniin a virgin forest because of the reluctance on the part ofofficials and lawn to his garden ofbeingforced hirea specialist. curing dense is mine done an taxes. Ive always canopy which stops the to allow interference with the unproductive eyesore. my own I to extend If s not a matter of saving money. nearly necessary sunlight from filtering course of nature. Thousands of my thesis To me, its a matter of pride and every aspect ofhuman endeavor, to them. firefighters were required to control to be able to handle that but for this article will limit my Animals, contrary to popular stand idly by and watch as the particular little comer of my life. comments to the utilization of opinion, arent exactly in h eaven forest went up in smoke. One either. They, like humans, get department which crossed a This year I m close to throwing forest resources. of climbing over the dead- meadow to stop the advance of to tired the who ascribe Those and hands surrendering up my because of some partnerships Mother Nature knows best fall, so they become confined the fire was reprimanded for and specialized investments, as theory are appalled at the au- primarily to trails and occasional attempting to interfere. About well as a home I sold on a three-yea- r dacity of anyone who would cut open places where there are more the only attempt to battle the a tree. They maintain that vir- grasses and shrubs to eat. Its no flames came when homes and contract tell Uncle Sam, just Please, gin forests are the ideal, and fun for a deer trying to escape a businesses were in jeopardy. The me what percent I owe, and as- they are concentrating their ef- predator when mounds of dead Continued on page 6 sure me that everyone else is forts on locking up more and more ofour forest areas as parks paying too. mothand wilderness. They have Flat tax should be like erhood and apple pie. It is simple mounted a massive campaign to and just, and every honest per- eliminate the multiple use conDo you support the decision of the Commission son ought to favor it. cept on our national forests and to abolish the Travel Council andCounty terminate the two other public lands. Any tactic to ot Public Pulse get the item, leaning back and saying shes not going anywhere, so she can wait Never in New York, I remark to myself. Youre helpful, Kanab, and funny. Outside the Cedar Post Trading Company Pawn Shop sits on a rocker an ancient laid-bac- k Native American mannequin, facing away from the entrance, lives to hold my attention for a week. I imagine what stories some of those cowboy appurtenances could tell. But I dont buy anything. As I am leaving, the shopkeeper says, Thank you for stopping in. You have a history, Kanab and youre most cordial. My brother and I we like you, How would you like to Kanab. bemusedly observing whats have a population of 2,150? happening on Main Street. InJanet Pomeranz side the shop theres enough Glen Cove, N.Y. stuff pieces of other peoples employees, or do you disagree with the action? Don! Know Disagree Support 18 J 26 Results of an informal telephone poll. |