Those of you that know me and follow my Facebook posts are likely aware of the smashing of the index finger of my right hand that took place this last weekend. It was not a serious injury in that it will heal, but today the taped down blacked fingernail still throbs.
How did it happen? I am a weekend home carpenter (as in amateur). I propped a 4ft aluminum T-square against the wall in the small house we are remolding. As I let go I noticed that it was standing close to an exposed electrical outlet as we have not finished the dry wall. Being occasionally safety conscious when it comes to electrical stuff (been bit by that dog before) I thought better and moved the T-Square away from that danger and propped it safely further away. Mind you the T was right-side up.
As I continued my work I kneeled down on the floor to make some markings on the plywood I was working hard to turn into nice entertainment center shelving. The workspace was a little crowded with insulation, tools, plywood, 2 by 4’’s, Box of screws, glue, everything you would need in a home remodeling project and of course the T square propped safely against the wall behind and to my right. As I kneeled I kicked the T Square and it came down in an arch like a Paul Bunyan’s ax just at the back end of the nail on my index finger. From one side my finger looks like that of an Iraqi voter.
So what has that to do with US Tax policy? Well….
Today I read that Republican candidate Perry wants to propose a 20% flat tax. I am sure this is his response to Cain’s 9-9-9 which was later revised to 9-0-9. Before them there was Huckabee, Forbes, and even Reagan that pressed the issue of a flat tax system. Taxes are a tool for use by us to build a better society. I think I like the idea of a flat tax but I worry that some are using “Flat Tax” as a marketing message to obtain the presidency and not as a tool for our benefit.
We need to be careful, there needs to be serious debate, serious thought given to changes in our tax code. I don’t really know if taxing the wealthy more, a flat tax, or as Bachmann said recently “zero tax” is the best answer for this country and I bet you don’t either. But I think we all know a bunch of amateurs when we see them.
I can envision someone being elected for his marketing skills, then in all the clutter of the presidency, national security, economic woes, warring political parties, I see him amateurishly propping up his flat tax tool in the corner somewhere convenient, only to have it kicked and fall like an ax on the hands of those working hard to build something.
If we are going to change tax policy, let’s elect someone with smart people around him that know which end of the T-square goes against the floor.
David
