Tax Freedom Day

The Tax Foundation reports the average American worked through yesterday (17 APR) to pay taxes. That's 107 days (70 for federal taxes). See more details at the link.

[Depending upon what state you're in, the annual days you must work to pay state and federal taxes may be up to two weeks better or worse than the national average. Refer to this table for details.]

It has been worse. In 2000, at the height of the BC era, the date was 03 MAY. See the graph.

If Kerry had been elected, he'd be working hard to reverse the tax cuts or simply let them expire, driving "Tax Freedom Day" back into May. Thank God that's not happening.

Optional ACE ranting in the continuation.

The federal government is continuing to spend money, even with the tax breaks. Large deficits build the debt, leading to higher interest cost in future years. Higher military spending during wartime is understandable. Tax breaks have stimulated the economy, resulting in higher net revenues. W has submitted a budget with only modest reductions. The Dems crticize the deficits and resist cuts to social programs.

The root problem is BIG GOVERNMENT. Both major parties now support it. Apparently, it's what most Americans want. The Libertarian Party supports smaller government, and it's candidate gets few votes. If we're not willing to lobby for change, and give up some programs, we shouldn't whine about the high taxes.