2011-04-19

Life & Taxes


Displayed with permission from glasbergen.com


Today, I'd like to discuss the joy of paying taxes.  Yes, you read that right - the Joy of Taxes. 

If you're a regular visitor here, you're probably assuming I'm using satire.  And that would be a reasonable guess because, well...I do love satire.  It's near the top of my list of Favourite Things, just below All Things Ludicrous and one up from Really Bad Puns.   But this time, you would be mistaken - I am truly taking great pleasure in paying my taxes.

Now, before you choke on your snort of derision, let me explain:  being self-employed, I don't have income tax deducted off each pay cheque throughout the year because, well...I don't get a pay cheque.  Instead, I calculate the yearly net income of my business and submit my taxes based on that amount.  Which means I begrudgingly (and with much bitching and grumbling) write the government a large cheque each tax season.  But this year, everything is different.

As I wrote in my last post,  My Sister is Velma Dinkley, my sister was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour and needs to undergo a very extensive surgery to have it removed - which will not cost her one single penny.  She won't have to pay for the Neurosurgeon, nor for the Anaesthesiologist, nor the hospital stay, nor any medication.  If she requires Home Care after the surgery, that will be free as well.  Because in Canada, we believe in donating a small portion of our wealth to insure that all citizens have access to whatever health care they may require.

So....this year, there will be no bitching and grumbling as I begrudgingly write out the cheque for my income tax.   In fact, I will happily - even joyfully -  pay my taxes with pride and pleasure, knowing that my small donation will be helping save a life. 
    




10 comments:

  1. What a powerful message. When my daughters got jobs, they were shocked that money was withheld for taxes. They thought that money was theirs! I had lots of conversations with them explaining all the things our taxes pay for. Saving a life is the best part for sure.

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  2. Excellent... same of course in UK where I hail from..

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  3. Well said, and I wish your sister the best with her surgery.

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  4. Tax cuts sound great until you analyze the services taxes pay for. I have no objection to paying for health care, education, clean water, transportation, and all the other things that make this country a better place to live. I'm glad to hear your sister is receiving good care.

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  5. I gotta say I wish we here in the US had a similar system. Our taxes go towards Medicaid and Medicare- but those are services for select groups. As a self employed person myself, we pay a hefty chunk for catastrophic health care only.

    I'm so glad your sister will receive the care she needs. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

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  6. Here, Here!

    I pay my taxes happily, and am thankful for all the things it helps us all attain that might not be possible otherwise.

    God bless you and your sister. I'm praying for you daily.

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  7. See, yet again, Canada making it hard for those of us who live to the south. I've often thought that on tax day in the states, when we pay the tax man, there should be a series of little boxes indicating what you'd like your taxes to go towards: health care, the military, education, infrastructure... Somehow I'm thinking that the military would take a BIG hit and all those things that conservatives in this country rail against would look pretty popular. Sigh.

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  8. My wishes for the best outcome and speedy recovery for your sister. You're right, of course, and so fortunate to live in such a civilized country. Despite, the "Affordable Care Act" our system here in the U.S. doesn't look like it's going to get more affordable for anyone any time soon.

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  9. See, yet again, Canada making it hard for those of us who live to the south. I've often thought that on tax day in the states, when we pay the tax man, there should be a series of little boxes indicating what you'd like your taxes to go towards: health care, the military, education, infrastructure... Somehow I'm thinking that the military would take a BIG hit and all those things that conservatives in this country rail against would look pretty popular. Sigh.

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  10. Tax cuts sound great until you analyze the services taxes pay for. I have no objection to paying for health care, education, clean water, transportation, and all the other things that make this country a better place to live. I'm glad to hear your sister is receiving good care.

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