Income Tax

Today, I'm journaling. Why? I just paid my State Income Tax and I have a few questions about taxes in general. Maybe someone can point me to a website or clarify why I have to pay Federal and State Income Taxes.

Most of my adult life I worked for State Agencies who received their funds and my salary through Federal and State taxes. So why was I taxed on money that had already been taxed?

Even now, Congress slid in an amendment (don't recall when, just reading about it) that raised the percentage of RSDI (Social Security payments received) which is taxed. Again, part of my income comes from Federal Income Taxes, so why do I pay Federal Tax on money already Federally Taxed?

Now, the amendment referenced is from a group of people (Congress) who just voted themselves a raise in pay. They do not pay into the Social Security system and they won't draw from it whenever they retire. What is wrong with this picture?

Better than what is wrong - what do YOU and I do to change the picture? I know Congress isn't willingly going to give up their cushy retirement or their ability to raise their own pay -- which uses MY tax money (and yours).

So, what can I do and what can you do? I'm honestly looking for answers, this is not just a 'post' of my ideas or of items from the news which has grabbed my coat-tail. Help me here.

10 Outrageous Facts About the Income Tax by Chris Edwards won't make you any happier than it makes me. Here's item number ten:

Income taxes: A bad idea that got worse.
The income tax is not an example of a good idea gone bad. It was bad from the beginning, and it just keeps getting worse. The income tax distorts financial planning and business investment, and it encourages tax avoidance and evasion. Because the income tax is built on an unworkable base of "income," the law is continually changing. Let's simplify Americans' finances and disband the tax army by pursuing fundamental tax reform.

So, could someone tell me what I can do, short of not paying taxes or filing a lawsuit contesting the legality of income taxes? And please don't suggest I move to Alaska, Washington State, Nevada, Colorado, South Dakota, Texas or Florida where they have no State Income Tax. I'd still be liable for Federal Income Tax.

Forget the Ides of March, Beware the Taxes Due of April 15. (This year, since April 15 falls on a Sunday, the cut off date is April 17. Big Whup.)

Not THAT Dagger.
Besides I prefer this: