This was an interesting email to receive today. It reminded me of some things we discussed back on The Oil Drum about this very thing (the online archive still available: http://theoildrum.com/special/archives ) - how paving over all the old city & county gravel roads had introduced a pile of fixed costs (not just paving, but regular re-grading, snow plowing, etc) that towns would eventually have to shed.
In other words, at some point in the not too distant future, they will start turning roads back into gravel roads, slowly but surely, starting at the very outside edges and creeping inward until only a certain core of local paved roads remains.
"This tax season, more than 140,000 taxpayers in 12 eligible states made use of Direct File — which allows users to submit simple tax returns directly to the government."
"Senate Finance Committee chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called the expansion 'tremendous news for taxpayers all over the country who are tired of getting ripped off by the big tax prep companies …' "
New IRS fact sheet: Disaster relief impacts to retirement plans and IRAs
The IRS released a new Fact Sheet on the impact of SECURE 2.0 provision that provides ongoing disaster relief for certain loans and distributions in federally declared major disasters. Before SECURE 2.0, there was no disaster relief that allowed these loans and distributions for all major disasters.
The FAQs help individuals, employers, retirement plan and Individual Retirement Arrangement service providers with general tax information and details about:
Taxation and reporting of qualified disaster recovery distributions
Repayment of qualified distributions taken for the purpose of purchasing or constructing a principal residence in a qualified disaster area
I was just thinking a bit about taxes and fair shares and one of Jesus' parables popped into my head. See, the church has a flat tax system, or at least, the evangelical church does. Each member of the church is supposed to voluntarily give 10% of their income, which the church is very adamant that God will return to you with interest. I remember hearing stories from clearly well-off Sunday-school teachers telling of how they "used to struggle a lot financially" but would still find ways to make it fit in their budget, and now they were comfortable. This was a story told to children, mind you, and with adult retrospect I can think of some additional context I'd like to ask for in that story.
I am familiar but not well read of the Bible. Jesus advocated for radical compassion. One could suggest that he built from the notion of welcoming the stranger, a custom endemic to the ME. The Greeks embodied it as well. Travelers were welcomed, fed and sheltered, and only then asked their business. Ultimately humanity’s super power is in reciprocity. All of the above examples of its expression.
JC also said its not our job to cull weeds from wheat but care for all.
@scott There’s a pastor on YT, Rev Ed Trevors, an Anglican priest who is useful to sample. He’s a version of Christianity I like to remind myself of, because the other kind has been given a megaphone.
You might listen a bit to some of his posts because he definitely works the compassion angle. Some posts are specifically religious in ways I care little about, but most of them talk about behavior towards others.
although taxes funding gov is wrong headed, wealth must be taxed for other existentially necessary reasons, wealth concentration is lethal to a society’s function, especially if you expect a market economy.