Taxation without representation, indeed.
I mailed my taxes out today. At the last possible minute, for very good reason. I had to mail out checks totaling $2,000, so I put it off as long as I could.
To say that I'm not a happy camper would be putting it lightly.
It wouldn't feel so bad, if I knew that the money would be used for things I believed in or used. But I know that the bulk of the federal money will probably go to fund a war (or warS) that I'm morally opposed to. As for my state money, I'm sure that will go to make sure the roads in southern Wisconsin are flawless, while those of us in the northern part of the state will continue to be largely ignored, and have to make do with what we have. "Well, our potholes aren't too big. Yet."
It's frustrating.
And, though I haven't lived in the state of Louisiana since June of 2004, I'm still going to owe them $37 on my 2005 return. I'm beginning to think that the state of Louisiana will never stop fucking me over.
I'm so irritated, that I briefly considered taking what's left of my box of Vanilla Chai Latte mix, walking to the nearby creek and dumping it in, ceremoniously.
But I'm sure nobody would get it.
Then I'd just be poor AND thirsty.
To say that I'm not a happy camper would be putting it lightly.
It wouldn't feel so bad, if I knew that the money would be used for things I believed in or used. But I know that the bulk of the federal money will probably go to fund a war (or warS) that I'm morally opposed to. As for my state money, I'm sure that will go to make sure the roads in southern Wisconsin are flawless, while those of us in the northern part of the state will continue to be largely ignored, and have to make do with what we have. "Well, our potholes aren't too big. Yet."
It's frustrating.
And, though I haven't lived in the state of Louisiana since June of 2004, I'm still going to owe them $37 on my 2005 return. I'm beginning to think that the state of Louisiana will never stop fucking me over.
I'm so irritated, that I briefly considered taking what's left of my box of Vanilla Chai Latte mix, walking to the nearby creek and dumping it in, ceremoniously.
But I'm sure nobody would get it.
Then I'd just be poor AND thirsty.
posted by Flamingo Jones at 4/17/2006 10:47:00 AM
11 Comments:
Ugh! That's so aggravating. I'm sincerely sorry you owe Louisiana $37. Tough break. It's probably going to St. Mary Parish too, isn't it?
Ugh again.
I'm not sure where my $37 will go. I owe it because I wasn't able to get my money out of the Louisiana Teacher Retirement fund until January of '05. $500 of it went to the U.S. Government off the top, but apparently your state also wants a piece of me. I guess my tears, sweat, sanity, idealism, innocence, self-confidence, not to mention my CAR weren't quite enough.
I still have a balance of $37.
We shouldn't be surprised.
And I was only there for a year+. I can't imagine what you're going to owe once you get out of there.
How much did you MAKE though? I don't make that much, but I got screwed over because none of my various employers withheld enough.
Damn. That blows, Nick. Hardcore. The double S.S./Medicare stuff is no fun. I had to do that the first year I had to file, thanks to having to declare tips I didn't even earn. Long story. But, I definitely sympathize.
I can't imagine owing anything once I get out of here. I have never made enough money in Louisiana to even pay taxes.
I don't think it was just the tax situation, Nick...
Hmm. You make a good point. I was in a McDonalds in Arkansas once, and the bathroom floor was covered in pee.
Are the other states seeing actual growth, or just not losing as much population? Do you have the statistics? I'm interested to see.
Does the fact that Louisiana uses a different legal system than everyone else play a part at all? I would think that would impact business growth in the state. A lawyer friend of mine once said that he'd consider working in any state in the U.S. besides Louisiana, because it's so confusing.
I assume by AK you mean AR? AK probably isn't growing much either though. Too cold and remote.
How do you propose to balance making an area business-friendly while maintaining environmental, health and aesthetic factors? I'm not picking an arguement, I'm just curious about your theory on that.
I dunno...I have opinions, theories and ideas about all KINDS of things I don't get PAID to think about.
Arkansas is growing because, for the south, it's actually a progressive state. I spent some time a few years ago in Fayetteville, and was impressed by the mix of people there. I've been all over the state throughout my life, and pound for pound people there are different than you would probably expect. Clinton wasn't governor for a decade there for no reason.
And Nick, you're right about environmental regulations not being an issue in LA is right on the money. We don't have any! Have you ever seen an environmental map of Lafayette? Almost the entire city is blanketed in hazardous waste. And don't get me started on what is lovingly referred to as "Cancer Alley."
Also, a state can't rely entirely on oil revenue, or any other singular industry. Lafayette learned that in 1986-87 when the oil glut almost destroyed the city's entire economic base. Of course the oil industry needs to get back on its feet; but what Louisiana really needs is a more diversified economy. It has never really had one, because there's no incentive for people to come here. And I guarantee you, Nick, it isn't because they're all discussing the tax system. That doesn't even make the list.
Nick, I'm not discounting the tax burden; but like I said, other reasons exist, and are more prevalent in the national consciousness.
Louisiana consistently ranks in the bottom in terms of poverty, scholastic dropouts, teen pregnancies, environmental hazards, honest government and other factors. Very few major businesses (ones that could have a positive impact on the state, as opposed to, say, toxic-waste incinerators) are willing to hedge their bets on such a potentially risky labor base.
This rings ESPECIALLY true since Kat-Rita. Not only did those hurricanes destory much of our infrastructure, but the government has given us no hope that it will ever be rebuilt the way it needs to be. You talk about taxes, Nick, but it's a moot issue when there's NOWHERE to set up shop. You have to admit, Kat-Rita was the worst-handled disaster in American history. Our state's proud legacy of corruption finally caught up with it, made worse by the most incompetent administration this nation's ever had.
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