I am one of the lucky ones
I have taxes to pay
I am one of the lucky ones
I know how they are spent
I am one of the lucky ones
Someone brings me letters from afar every day
I can feed myself for relatively little money or effort
I can turn a faucet and have as much clean drinking water as I want
I can flush my toilet and my waste goes "away"
I can flip a switch and have heat
I can pick up the phone and call a friend whenever I need them
I have roads to easily get where I want to go, to easily broaden my horizons
I have access to inspiring wilderness and beautiful public parks
I can create as much waste as I want and someone will pick it up from my house every week
My neighbor cannot dump oil in the creek near my home without risk of penalty
I received a quality education and know my nieces and my nephew will never be refused this right
I can choose to spend my time how I wish; if I don't like my work I can seek something else
If I don't think my government is using the power I have granted it wisely
I can publicly express my opinion without risk of persecution
If I don't think my government is honoring the sacred trust I have granted it
I can choose another one and ask others to do the same
I am one of the lucky ones in this world
I can do all of these things
I know how my taxes are spent
And I know that what we obtain too cheaply
We esteem too lightly
I have taxes to pay
because these services and these freedoms are not free
They have been fought for by Americans who came before me
and they continue to exist because of the taxes that I pay
I am one of the lucky ones
My sacrifices are nothing compared to theirs
Lucky Ones
Author: Shannon Binns
Shannon Binns has called Charlotte home since late 2007 and discovers something fantastic about the city nearly everyday. He came here by way of New York City, Seattle, Senegal, Thailand and Prague. Each day he seeks wisdom and beauty in what he encounters and attempts to capture his discoveries in photos and words to share with others.
- Times Emailed:
Comments
Name: Eric Dean.
Date: Mar 5 2009 1:14PM
Here speaks the voice of a true American. An American who is aware of his priveleged position by being a citizen of the United States. He has been fortunate to be able to compare, at first hand, the atrocious conditions which are endured by too many of the world's poor and deprived: those who are persecuted because they refuse to submit to autucratic, despotic regimes.
All of us who agree with Shannon Binns MUST make our voice heard, and support him.
A supporter from the UK.
Name: Jean Binns
Date: Mar 5 2009 1:26PM
Congratulations son! Well done! - love, mom
Name: Ryan Sheaffer
Date: Mar 5 2009 1:36PM
Binns...I got chills reading this! Proud of you, mi amigo...
Name: Pete Tintle
Date: Mar 5 2009 3:18PM
Very well said and helps me feel better as I push the send button on my Turbo Tax E-File that depletes my savings again this year. Our taxes are the price we pay for freedom and for our common good. With this election, I feel reassured that we are now contributing to Our Common Good that this is a worthy cause and a small price to pay.
Name: Phil P.
Date: Mar 6 2009 11:09AM
Good one Shannon!
Name: Carly
Date: Mar 6 2009 12:00PM
I love it - excellent. You are a voice that I never tire of hearing. It's particularly relevant to me living in Istanbul and reading the news from home - the contrast is enormous, and enormously frightening.
Name: Bob Thomas
Date: Mar 7 2009 11:54AM
Very well said. I'm reminded of a quip in Reader's Digest several decades ago wherein an old immigrant was asked what he thought about paying taxes. His answer, "Very cheap dues to live in America."
Your next poem should be about - in exchange for these privileges - our responsibilities (to both the US and the global population) beyond paying taxes.
- 10 Things To Know About the Viennese (and Why You Should Visit Vienna Anyway) - Kate Wiseman
- Navigating the Gastro Gauntlet - C. J. Toscano
- Cards and Letters - Mark Peres, Publisher
- How Are You Interesting?: The Tao of Richard Saul Wurman - Carlos Salum
- The Art of Possibility - Chris McLeod, Columnist
- Evaporation - Lauren Frantz
- Weather Report - Sue Friday
- An Excerpt from "This is Real Feeling" - Bill Warren
- Group Sessions - Amy Buechler
- An Excerpt from "Red Ryder" - Meghan Kathleen Barnes
- Weep You No More, Alan Rickman - Kendra Chapman
- Red Dwarf Over Elqui Valley - Leily Kleinbard
- "Wild Plums" and "The Unblooming" - Barbara Conrad
- Trawling - Diana Pinckney
- A Man, God, God's plan, Planes (mercy and zeal) - Elise Anderson