Yes, I love paying taxes
Real Americans take pleasure in paying their taxes, says Rich Benjamin in USA Today. So why do "churlish" Tea Partiers insist on being so "unpatriotic"?
Tea Party protesters are gathering at anti-tax rallies nationwide today, but not everybody is angry about tax day. In a USA Today op-ed, writer Rich Benjamin argues that paying taxes your "fair share" of taxes is patriotic and pro-business. "I secretly love the ritual" of visiting the accountant, he says, and "deep in my bones, that place that speaks my mind, I am proud and glad to pay my income taxes." Here's an excerpt of Benjamin's love letter to taxation:
"In contrast to Tea Party 'patriots,' I fervently support income taxes.
[...]
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Paying income taxes confirms my pride as a modern-day American citizen. As loudly as I might declare my love for this country, I need to put my money where my mouth flaps. For those like me — not fighting in Afghanistan, not toiling in our foreign service, not extinguishing fires or fighting crime as a public servant — paying taxes makes real my commitment to a functioning America."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Will California's EV mandate survive Trump, SCOTUS challenge?
Today's Big Question The Golden State's climate goal faces big obstacles
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Underneath the noise, however, there’s an existential crisis'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of distrust in science
In the Spotlight Science and politics do not seem to mix
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published