Monday Writing Essential: Mini-Post #1: Did you say "Thanks a lot?" I thought I heard "Tax a lot!"

Nothing certain except death in Texas, by electrocution! Debts and taxes, just as shocking.

This just in: via internet, I'm informed that the state of Virginia is considering a tax on hybrid vehicles for using less gas.

What's next, an alternative minimum tax for people who don't smoke because of lost revenues on highly-taxed cigarettes?

Then, there's the concept of a negative income tax. You get a deduction for not making enough money to live on. The government pays you a bonus for working in a minimum wage job. So, the government owes you. You collect a tax from the government. To get that money back, the government has devised other means to take back what they gave you.

How about a cover charge for entering a public building when you breath the ventilated air. It's sort of a tax on quality air.

April 15 should be a national holiday at least three days long. for those who mourn having to pay in and for those celebrating a tax return. The new filing date would be April 18.

I'm a good citizen. I believe in paying taxes in support of good government. Low tax rates affect the quality of the public infrastructure and they diminish the general welfare of the nation and its citizens.

Even so, the way the I.R.S. collects taxes ought to be questioned. Can I pay a monthly minimum, the kind of option most credit cards have?

Render unto Caesar what isn't Caesar's? I've never been to Vegas. Why, is there a gambling tax at the casino? Or, are we talking about a government of the taxed people, for the taxed people, and by the taxed people.

And unto God? Well, if the wages of sin is death, consider that this isn't even in the fine print of any church doctrine, but according to the Gospel, the sin and the debt has been paid and forgiven.

And if there is an entertainment tax at least it isn't a charge on the amount of laughter caused by a good comic on stage. It's probably a flat fee even if the humor goes flat and bombs.

A liquor tax. Well, yes, you're drinking to that.

Get a good workout at the gym? Did it tax all of your strength. I bet it did.

How about a volunteer tax? Uncle Sam can have a televised Tax-a-thon. You volunteer to support the federal agencies of your choice. I bet employees of General Dynamics, Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell, and Lockheed Martin might call in to support the Department of Defense.

How about a luxury tax on professional athletes who earn millions of dollars every year? Or, a nice tax deduction for ticket purchases by fans who support those athletes that have big multi-year contracts?

Just a few ideas for Uncle Sam. And I haven't said anything about paying taxes for merchandise bought over the internet.

Well, that's deep subject.  Deep enough for a lot more tax revenue, I guess.

Not sure if these ideas entertain you or not, but if I were in business I'd think about having my readers subscribe to my brilliant commentary. What makes it bright is due more to the spotlight readers put onto it, not anything I'm doing.

But for now my posts are free. Take one. Take two. Help yourself. All my posts are here. Going back to 2005. I've been on Gather  that long, folks. Don't have a big readership, but I like to think I have some thoughtful readers who've gotten something out of my posts. It goes with saying, but I'll say it anyway. Thanks, dear readers, for taking the time and for all your comments,  too.