TAX DAY

It pleases me to taunt those of you who are frantically trying to complete your annual struggle with the income tax by noting that not only am I long since done, but the refunds are already safely tucked away in the bank.  In fact, I was so in a hurry to be done that I was mightily unhappy when I realized that some 1099s weren't due until after the end of February.

Anyway, here's my favorite quote on taxes, from a fictional detective some would unkindly say I resemble:

A man condemning the income tax because of the annoyance it gives him or the expense it puts him to is merely a dog baring its teeth, and he forfeits the privileges of civilized discourse. But it is possible to criticize it on other and impersonal grounds. A government, like an individual, spends money for any or all of three reasons: because it needs to, because it wants to, or simply because it has it to spend. The last is much the shabbiest. It is arguable, if not manifest, that a substantial portion of the great spring flood of billions pouring into the Treasury will in effect get spent for the last shabby reason.

Nero Wolfe - And Be a Villain (1948)

And a final thought.  I've always heard it said that nothing's certain except death and taxes, but here's a refreshing take on the relationship 'tween the two.