Lobo and I have never tried to indoctrinate our children with our beliefs -- that is, to become obedient soldiers in the war for freedom. We have tried to instill in them our values, which include a deep respect for life and property, and being a person of honor. But we don't try to hide our dislike of the state or other busybodies from them, either. (Leads to some highly raised eyebrows when we answer some of their questions in public, and folks are listening in -- a consistent source of amusement ...)
I can just imagine how proud the snolfs' adopted Uncle Carl would've been to hear our daughter -- our always pretty-in-pink, beguilingly feminine wisp of a girl -- ask me why Lobo wasn't using the Post Awful [could be spelled 'offal' just as effectively, but I don't think she knows that word yet] to mail some packages to friends.
Yah, I know Carl didn't use that phrase in Postage Due, but I believe he's the one who introduced it to me, and it's forever become linked to him in my mind.
And, while we're speaking of the Post Offal and other uncivilized entities, if you're one of the many who are already starting to dread April 15, please resist the taxocrats' pleas to make it as cheap and easy for them as possible. Remember, the more money you save them, the more they can put to hurting innocent people in their varied and insidious ways. (And if you "need" that portion of stolen loot returned quickly, and that's your justification for e-filing, then perhaps a redo of the ol' household budget would be a good idea ...)
Uncle Carl Would Be So Proud
Uncle Carl says:
Yep, I'm proud. But then, I have always thought well of the solfs. Give 'em squeezes for me.
Regarding e-filing taxes: Saving money is only one reason the tax-goons want you to e-file. They also find it handy to get your info automatically entered into their databases; it makes it so much easier to do automatic quicky audits. Of course, pro tax preparers love this, too, because unless you can buy and use the right software, you have to pay them to e-file for you (for now).
Sunni says:
Will do once they're awake. Thanks for making more clear the major reason not to cooperate with the e-filing push.
Daniel says:
Related tax tip: if you're self-employed, NEVER pay your quarterlies.
For those who don't understand the game: wage slaves get money withheld every month, and get to plea for the return of the excess at the end of the year. In other words, they lend money to Uncle Sam, interest free.
IRS hates the fact taht self-employed folks don't offer these interest-free loans, so they try to get self-employed people to submit advance payment on a quarterly basis. They say they require this, but they really don't. They do, however, charge an 8% "penalty" if you don't pay your quarterlies.
I say, stall. Instead of sending them money in March, June, September, and December, file for an extension the following April and send the money the following August. This way, instead of giving the government an interest free loan of your money, you get to keep it for an (averaged) extra year and you pay just 8% for this dubious "privilege". Generally, that's a better deal. Most folks have at least *some* debt at worse interest rates than that; you save money if you pay off that debt now and then pay the government latter.
But wait, you are debt free? No worries; 8% is still a cheap price to pay to hold up the government's cash flow. If you've ever run a business, you know that getting paid a year later than you'd hoped can be nearly as bad as not getting paid at all. Collecting an 8% late fee repairs only part of that cash flow pain.
Sunni says:
Excellent advice, Daniel! May I republish this as a separate entry -- with attribution to you, of course? It deserves wider attention than it'll get stuck here in commentland.
Daniel says:
You're free to do with it what you like.