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Like many of you, I find it difficult, if not impossible, to look at my social media account and find something not political. ‘Tis the season, I guess. But lately, I’ve seen a meme circulating by people I considered to be of a higher intellect. The meme simply asks the question, “Shouldn’t we be asking the question, ‘where are my taxes going?’ instead of questioning who should pay taxes?”
Well, to say I was floored by ANYONE with a singular brain cell rolling around in their head like a marble in a wheel barrel posting such a moronic question would be an understatement. So after pondering the query for a half of a second, I recalled my day today.
My answer to the monosyllabic Troglodyte who first created this meme was right there with my daily routine.
The first thing I did today upon waking up was to take a deep breath of fresh air thanks to government agencies that monitor air quality, I didn’t have to worry about toxins. Next, I went to the bathroom to shower and shave. I again didn’t have to worry about the water being loaded with carcinogens or flammables like in the 1970’s before the EPA was formed to create and enforce water standards. I turned on the light and despite electric companies wanting to raise the rates 30 times in the last 10 years, they could only raise them 6 times and for far less than their requested amount due to a government agency overseeing that. I went downstairs and held onto a handrail that was required by and enforced by government regulations and agencies. As I entered the kitchen, I grabbed some eggs and bread to make toast. The eggs were inspected by a government agency to ensure they did not contain dangerous salmonella bacteria or, if discovered, recall them… so I knew they were safe to eat. I turned on the stove and thanks to government agencies, it didn’t explode or leak odorless fumes before I could realize there might be a leak because that rotten egg smell of natural gas is a government required additive for safety. I took my medications that were tested and found to be safe for what they were prescribed for but if they had risks, those risks, no matter how small, were listed on the label because of government regulations and an agency that oversees that, as well. I hopped in my car to head to work. It was inspected by a government agency, so it was mechanically safe to drive. The pollutants that naturally occur in a combustion engine were minimized by devices required by government agencies to reduce pollution. The roadways and bridges that I took showed signs of repair and even some new construction thanks to the Infrastructure Bill that was passed. Truckers on the road hauling cross country are far more likely to be well rested as they pass me since government regulations for required sleep and limited driving times are enforced by a government agency. And when there is an accident, it is government agencies that respond to the scene. I turn on my radio, also governed by government agencies to make sure they can send out emergency notifications to citizens and I hear there is a tornado watch in effect for tonight until 7 pm, thanks to the government agency that monitors weather in the US. It gives me time to decide if I should turn around and go home or go to work and simply stay there until 7pm. I decide to go to work knowing the building has to comport with safety standards that include wind resistance parameters. I am also thankful that they are not poisoning me with lead-based paint or exposing me to asbestos …all thanks to government regulations and agencies that enforce them.
The point here is that EVERYTHING in our lives is better because we have been protected by regulations that were made in response to problems we had when businesses were left to do what they wanted to make a buck, whether it was pouring carcinogens onto the ground to be soaked up into the aquifers that we use for drinking water, or painting with lead-based paints or insulating with asbestos because it’s cheaper than using something that DOESN’T cause cancer. Even flushing waste down your toilet has government agencies that regulate how that waste is handled so you are not drinking or swimming or “washing” dishes in water tainted with human waste.
And I am not alone in being protected. Over 300 million citizens in the US are protected every day of the year. And when disasters hit, it is government agencies that rush into the disaster while everyone else is running out, providing food, water and supplies along with shelter, none of which is free. The protection knows no economic class or race or ethnicity. The rich drive on the same roadways that the poor do. When fires or other natural disasters destroy communities, no one is there looking for your tax records to see if you qualify for help. But yet, the working class pay far more taxes on far less income than the rich. Essentially, the working class subsidize the wealthy in this country, and have been doing so in an increasing manner every year since Reagan allowed workers to receive the largess of the wealthy’s trickle down. The rich receive all the same benefits and protections, but at a drastically discounted price. So yes, there is a need to make them pay their fair share. It is not a partisan issue, although they would have you believe it to be so they can continue to pit working class people against each other so the affluent maintain their discounts. They send out clever memes for working class to share on their politically charged posts. It is all for the wealthy to keep us distracted with one another while they laugh all the way to the bank.
So do me a favor, the next time you see a meme or hear someone ask where their tax money goes, remind them that the only reason they can even ask that question is because they are alive today to ask it thanks to many different government regulations and the agencies that enforce them doing their job. And buy the way, those government agencies are staffed by real people with real families who also need to eat and pay for shelter so yes, they get a paycheck too.