Cousin Tommy wrote to the Swamp today wishing for simpler taxes and simpler tax forms. What can I say? I did my federal taxes online in about 8 minutes, using my Quicken Basic 2003 books. That's 7½ minutes more than I needed, but there was this great article about cachéing info online (which I definitely will NEVER do, now that I've read it!). However, I didn't get a book from the dang SC tax service and no postcard, so I had to fill in the stupid state form by hand. I got to bed at 4 this morning! The state instructions were so tortuous that it took me an hour and a half just to discover that one section which said it applied to me, didn't!

            So, yes, there needs to be simplification, especially for small business persons. Since small business pays most of the taxes (regardless of what some demagogue has told you), it is imperative that their taxes be fair and easy to report.

            Personally, we, here in the Swamp, like the sales tax idea, but realistically, it's not going to happen. Why? Because there are people in government who derive their power by creating special interest through tax manipulation. The power to tax is in congruent ratio with the power to coerce, cajole, and other populace obeiance measures that begin with "c."

            So, a single, simple tax bracket which everyone pays with a simple postcard to fill out and mail or a password and keystroke, is probably the best idea. Even if there were three brackets, you could still do it on a postcard if the tax code were simple enough.

            The problem, as the Swamp Turns, is not only the power thing, but also the unrealistic way we count wealth, paying for the same money time after time. It would make Marx all gooey inside, but it's extremely unfair. Also, we have too many social programs and not enough infrastructure. And while there is a need for a thin film of socialism which must lie over the body of capitalism, at this point, it is a corrupt skin which neither protects society nor promotes the necessary underlying capitalism.

            But we also need to understand what causes poverty. I am convinced that we have allowed the left to define poverty, and they have done so with criminal intent. A capitalist sees poverty as a temporary cash flow problem which can be fixed if there are caring people to aid and a couple of good ideas. A socialist sees poverty as not enough jobs.

            A personal example: if I had to rely on a job, for instance, rather than my own ability to create wealth with our SwampfoxNews.com website, I would be doomed. I'm 58. I've applied for over 238 jobs since June 2004. Not one corporation says I qualified to work for it. Of course, we all know it's because I'm 58 - which IS reasonable, if you're a corporation. It's the other side of right to work. I still agree with it. Besides, I wouldn't want to work for a company that wouldn't have me for an employee. And have you seen what corporations are doing these days? Read "Dilbert." You want to have a little sanity in office politics, thankyouverymuch. If I were a socialist, my life would be over. But I still have hope that our project will work on the money side - we've already achieved success on the audience side. And thank you all. up to 120,000 a week, now.

            So, here's a tip of the hat to cousin Tommy and all those who want to simplify taxes! And fat luck of our ever making it happen!