Taxes….

it’s that time of year again.   In Anchorage, as in every city, there are a number of tax preparation shops that spring up this time of year, or maybe they are always there, and during the first months of the year are just a lot more visible.  I suppose that it doesn’t matter either way. 

 When I drive the kidlets to school in the morning, down Northern Lights Blvd., I pass by a tax shop that tries to lure the unsuspecting in with promises of “REFUND loans” in 1 hour!  “Get your money now!”.  Their little piece of the storefront mall is festooned with American flags and red, white and blue streamers.  Certainly you can trust them with your tax return, after all that is Old Glory waving you in…

When I drive home after picking the kids up after a day of school, my usual route takes me down Benson Blvd.    (Northern Lights and Benson are one-way twin streets).  And on Benson, there is another tax shop.  This one does not sport flags and streamers, oh no, these guys go all out, they hire people to dress up as The Statue of Liberty.  Some of the visions in copper green are rather mellow, holding up their little sign that says “Taxes Done Here”, or “REFUND loans IN AS LITTLE AS 1 HOUR” .  Others are quite enthusiastic, dancing and twirling, as if they can hardly contain their excitement at the prospect of seeing your w-2’s.

How does one choose between Lady Liberty and Old Glory???  (I just gave up making that decision and went with my trusty friend Turbo Tax)

All that aside, seems like taxes are the topic of discussion lately.  tax cuts, tax refunds, tax dodgers, tax cheats, tax rates, sales tax, property tax.  Everyone I have talked to lately is talking about their taxes. 

So here are my 2cents about taxes:

I really don’t mind paying taxes.  I don’t even really think that at this point in my life, and with the income level that we have, that we are paying too much in the form of taxes right now.   I haven’t always felt this way, and I suppose there is a day coming where I will feel like I am unfairly taxed, but right here, right now, I am ok with our tax rate. 

Granted I live in a state with no personal income taxes, and in a city with no sales tax, and that means I have a whole lot more in my pocket (percentage wise) than many of you who are living elsewhere.  And I am certain this all contributes to my feeling of goodwill.

Do I like everything that our government spends my tax dollars on?  No, I don’t.  I think it would be great if on our tax forms we could designate where we want our money to go.  Isn’t that a wonderful idea? Or maybe not.  

But truly, I am thankful I live in the United States.  I enjoy our standard of living.  When I drive down the highway, and it is nicely paved, I appreciate that.  I am beyond grateful to the men and women who risk it all in the military.  There are people I love that are dependent on one form of Government or another for their health care, and I think it is just great that they can have that health care.  I am facisnated by our political system and our governing branches, and think it is pretty awesome. 

Making the US, the US takes an unimaginable amount of money.  and it has got to  come from somewhere.  There were a few years where we didn’t really pay much in the way of taxes.  Living at about poverty level and having 3 kids will do that.  now, thankfully, that has changed.  Still have the 3 kids, but not so much the poverty level income. 

And it is just fine that we are now required to pay more in taxes.  During the years we did not pay in much, we still received the services.  We still drove on the roads, we were still protected by our military, we still had our kids in the public schools, getting a darn good education free of charge. 

Now, obviously, I don’t want to be taxed willy-nilly, I am not willing to go to equal distribution of wealth.  But I really am ok with taxes.

When I did our taxes this year, and I filed, I felt remarkably patriotic.   And then I looked at the total of what we paid in, and it was a pretty healthy number, and thought “wow, a bargain!”

Just thought you would like to know.

Haircut….

And tonight I will sleep, finally…

So, it is over.  The election is finally over.  And regardless of what party you are affiliated with, it is a pretty good guess there is a sense of relief that it is finally done.

America gets a Democratic President.

Alaska gets their Governor back.

Looks like Alaska has re-elected their now convicted Senator to another term.  Hmmm…. I really wish the guy just would have retired prior to this campaign and bestowed his blessing onto the next generation.  Stevens has been a tireless advocate for Alaska, of this there is no doubt, but frankly, this whole thing has been embarrassing. There is such a thing as a graceful exit, unfortunately, there can’t be one now.  Even re-elected, this is a sad, dark mark on an amazing career that has touched  nearly every Alaskan in some way.  But even amazing careers don’t excuse corruption.   Wow, I have no idea what more to say.  Perhaps career politicians on both sides of the aisle can learn something from this one.  Retire while you are still universally beloved. (ok, so I did have more to say).

I am going to bed now.  I will post more soon, actual pictures of kids, the dog, the story of 13 people sleeping in my house one night last week.

Only 3 more weeks…

I say that every time I brew yet another pot of coffee.  I think I am up to 3 a day.  Pots.  Not. Cups.

I really need this election to be over. I am not getting anything done around the house and I am not getting any sleep.  Ugh, reminiscent of 2000 when I didn’t sleep for about 4 days straight while Florida sorted out their troubles. 

It’s a good thing I don’t have a job, I would be a truly worthless employee about now.

how are you all handling this?

Ok, you asked for this one…

Hey, I have friends all over the political spectrum, and I want to keep you all.  I am a firm believer that who we vote for and why we vote for that person is intensely personal, and I know for myself it is rarely an easy, cut and dried decision.  That said, I won’t be endorsing, or not endorsing, just reporting. 

So, it’s a big day for the Republican party, and a HUGE day for Alaska.  The first woman to be on a Republican national ticket, and she is from Alaska of all places. 

I gotta tell you, the air here in Anchorage (and I would imagine all of Alaska) is totally electric.  It is pretty exciting to have someone from “home” making this kind of news, no matter what your party. 

 This is what I know.  Alaska loves Sarah Palin, polls put her approval ratings at 80%+.  Most of the people we have talked to over the last month feel she has done a good job, that she is a good person.  During the time she was mayor of Wasilla, the town we lived in prior to moving to the Midwest, she brought a lot of new development to the area, and I don’t remember a lot of controversy.  And I can tell you this:  she has really nice parents.   We attended church with them for several years (and yes, during that time, met Sarah on more than one occasion).  That is the extent of my personal knowledge of Sarah Palin.

Now let me tell you what I think about McCain’s choosing Palin:  It is an inspired choice. (no matter what side of the aisle you come down on, it is a gutsy move).

 I have been saying for a long time (since Palin was elected Gov about 2 years ago, ask my mom, or my friend Kathie Bouchard, they have heard this many times), that she is a gift to the Republican party.  No doubt about it, she is the fresh face the party has been waiting for.  Lay it out…  she is young, attractive, a mother, her husband was a stay at home dad for a time so she could pursue her career, she takes on corruption, she is pro gun, pro oil, pro life,  she hunts, fishes, she has a son in the military, the list goes on and on. 

So, from that perspective she is the best choice for McCain to try and capture some of the excitement that has been generated with Obama’s charisma and charm.   Do I think this choice wraps up the election for the Republicans?  Naw.  I think it means that the Republican party is not completely dead in this race, and I think it means the Democrats are going to have to work a little harder to keep the momentum going.  I think it will make the race a lot more interesting, at least from an Alaska point of view. 

It will be fun to see what people around here do in the coming months.  I am guessing we will not see too many McCain/Palin yard signs and bumper stickers, but knowing Alaskans, we will see loads of Palin/McCain signs, Alaska pride runs deep.