“Tis impossible to be sure of anything but Death and Taxes”

-Christopher Bullock, 1716

Congratulations the 2024 season is behind you. Or is it?

Either way

‘Death and taxes’ is a statement we hear all the time and best I can find Mr Bullock said it first. However, while tongue in cheek it’s fun to explore through a philosophical lens.

So, death? Yep, it’s the big one. No getting around it. Everything that breathes eventually stops breathing. Death wins every time.

Now, taxes? They might seem like just a headache at first glance. But taxes are not so obvious, when framed by death they imply life. It’s about doing our bit to keep things running a bit smoother amid all the craziness.

The second law of thermodynamics states that everything moves from order to chaos. This is woven into life. All good things come to an end. I believe humanity’s major calling is to attempt to re-order their little corner of this planet. Taxes are an attempt and a belief to re-order the chaos. Of course, the tax code seems like chaos and we can espouse and complain. But have you ever seen what it’s like in places without any tax system or rules about who pays what? It’s way messier. People often call those places ‘Third World,’ not even second world because, without taxes, things can get pretty chaotic.

No one loves giving away their hard-earned cash. Of course, I don’t want to pay taxes. Of course, I want to live in a civil society with police and fire and roads and health systems and education and parks, and all the things that we get on this side of the fence of having taxes.

I will do my best to steward the funds channeled in my direction. I still am thankful to pay taxes because it means I’m part of the living, breathing world that’s always trying to keep the chaos at bay.