We finished our taxes today, and the kids were around while we were doing it, and then we went out to the Olive Garden, since we didn't feel like cooking at 8PM when we finished the taxes.  On the way home, we were talking about how much the meal cost (Jonathan has various data points on how much things cost, so trying to fill that in some more - so the dinner was $26 for the five of us (all you can eat breadsticks and salad) and Jonathan thought that was a lot for not very much food.So, we talked about how it was more expensive than if you made them at home, but you don't have to do the dishes, and the waitress comes and fills your glass, etc.  And then we were talking about how where our money comes from, and then what the waitress might do with her money, and maybe somewhere along the line, someone buys a website (completing the circle back to me).

Jonathan thought that was pretty neat until I said, well, it doesn't work that way since there are taxes, and talked a bit about that.

So then he said something like, "So, you get the money you earn, pay taxes, and then pay the waitress for our meal, and then she pays her taxes and then pays for whatever she wants, and the money just keeps getting smaller and smaller until it is zero!"  I thought that about summed it up.

Posted by Jon Daley on March 20, 2009, 10:16 pm | Read 5037 times
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I suggest that you also explain to him how in addition to getting a cut every time money moves, the feds can also print a ton of it on the side to outbid you for goods and services you want to buy with the money you have left after taxes.

Posted by Phil on March 21, 2009, 11:08 am

Of course the government does spend the tax money (and, these days, even a lot more that the tax money paid) back into the economy -- so it doesn't really go to zero. But as a first step towards becoming inoculated to the idea of taxes, it isn't bad :)

Posted by Dad-o on March 21, 2009, 11:14 am

The value of a dollar with respect to gold is approaching zero.

Posted by Phil on March 21, 2009, 11:21 am

sir, i was sponsored by agentleman of your name under compassion international.i just wish to know if you were my sponsor.i am in uganda.project name was jinja child development center.i will be glade if you answer me.
God bless you mightly

Posted by ssejjemba besweri charles on May 29, 2009, 1:14 pm

Yes, that is us. I was hoping you would look us up some time!

Posted by jondaley on May 29, 2009, 1:15 pm

praise the Lord,i felt convicted to pass avote of thanks to you for what you did for me in the past twelve years, thanks for laying afoundation for my future.

i joined University-Uganda Christian University ,persueing a degree in Business Administration.

special greetings from my family,
send dear greetinds to Heather and family .i love them

Posted by besweri charles on June 1, 2009, 6:08 am
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