(no subject)

[symbioidlj]

Ultimately, I've been thinking about not paying my federal taxes. I was late a while ago, and sent a long letter about how I wasn't going to pay until we stopped bombing Serbia(back in what... 99? 2000?) Anyways, I got like 3 threatening letters and caved it. But I think we may have already stopped bombing by that point. Anyways, this time, I'm thinking I may do the same thing. I mean, I just started thinking. Rosemary is sick as fuck, and they won't give her any medical insurance or help, and it's bullshit! But they can spend billions on bombs. Well, fuck 'em. The 220 bucks I owe is staying here, and it's helping pay for Rosemary's meds and stuff. They already got plenty of money from me. I'm still debating on whether i have the balls to have my boss not take any taxes out.

I'm wondering if it's better to file, but send a note saying I'm not supporting this fucking war and not paying, or if I should not file. I don't know which is safer. I know if you don't file they can zap you hardcore. I'm trying to look up stuff from the War Resisters League They have tips on tax resistance. But a lot of it has to do with the phone tax.

Anyone else wanna join in this? Anyone else think this is a good or dumb idea? Can we start a nation-wide movement to starve the beast? Some people, I think, can't put themselves on the line like this. I'm still trying to figure out where to draw the line with how far I'm willing to go. I mean, Ideally, I would not pay any taxes to the federal government at this point, but at the same time, I need to make sure I can still pay the bills and take care of Rosemary, and if I get into fucking trouble, I may not be able to. However, so far, there has only been one conviction in history for a protest such as this. Henry David Thoreau, of course, wrote Civil Disobedience while in prison for tax evasion against war.

Anyways. Just some ideas. I'd like to see this happen nationwide, but it's scary with the downward trend towards fascism that's occurring. But we've gotta stop the machine somehow, and as much as I think protests are important, I don't think that's the answer. They can just brush people off, it's not fucking democracy anymore people. Never really was. But I digress. The machine needs to eat, and if we don't feed it, it has to slow down. Can it break?

God I can't wait till 2004. And I pray to fucking GOD that Lieberman or Gephardt don't become the fucking Democratic candidate, cuz I really really really can't support them. Maybe Gephardt I can. But Lieberman. Fuck no. I will NEVER support him. I just don't understand why he's not a fucking republican.

Anyways.j

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...............

Comments

[vesicular.livejournal.com]

While I agree w/ you in priciple, I don't know if it's a smart move. Getting rammed up the ass by the IRS isn't my idea of fun. It could put you in a world of hurt in the future, even moreso than now.

I think the only thing people can honestly do to make a differnce is vote. Vote that bastard out of office. Part of me hopes that the entire world ends up hating us and that our economy goes to even bigger shit, cuz ther's no way GW is gonna survive that come '04. Most people are worried about their own bottom line, even moreso than Iraq. You know how it goes, what affects me is more improtant than what affects someone else and all that.

Who I'd really be pissed at is the health care system in general. Health costs are so high because health care companies are now allowed to advertise. A lot of what you're paying when you buy pills is the money they use to advertise the shit.

What you maybe should do is look into is getting any perscriptions you can (if you need them) from Canada. I know there are places online you can order drugs, and it's super cheap. I also know of a Doctor that treats patients at the Mall of America from Canada, and gives them perscriptions and where to get them cheap. Fuck, maybe we should all just move to Canada. Except for the French vs English shit, they don't seem to bad to me.

Anyway, I'd pay your taxes, and just say to yourself it's all going to NASA or something. That's usually what I do, makes me feel better. Well, that and voting for someone I think can actually run the damn country. My fingers are crossed that Lieberman doesn't get the nomination either.

[naiadea.livejournal.com]

I have to agree that it's a bad idea to protest the war by refusing to pay your taxes. It's futile. They just don't care. It'll fuck you up the ass credit-wise and it won't change anything.
There are plenty of other more tangible, more active and more useful ways to protest. Even getting arrested isn't as harmful in the long run as refusing to pay your taxes.
As for Rosemary-related things, I'm planning to write a letter to the University's pain clinic. They have neurologists, a fibro specialist and a psychiatrist along with a full staff of other helpful people and her symptoms are exactly what they're there to diagnose and treat. If they ignore the first letter, i'll send another. I'm also going to work on finding resources to help with medical costs and all the pharmaceutical companies have programs to provide people in need with free or low-cost meds. Doctors just don't like telling people that and pharmacies NEVER will.
Then, too, since i'll be helping with bills, there'll be more money to help with meds and the like.
I should have been doing all of this beforehand, but i didn't start to sit down and think and plan and all that til the past few days. There ARE resources. We just have to find them.
I would recommend, tho, that Rosemary request a copy of her records from her current doctors, especially the one who refuses to refer her. If, in the future, she's diagnosed with something that could have been treated/cured had the doctor only done the tests, then you've a good case for malpractice. That doctor's actions are just unconscionable. Here's some food for thought.. Perhaps Rosiemamary should print it out and take it to her next doctor's appt...


Hippocratic Oath -- Modern Version

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

(/soapbox)

Sorry for spammin' your comments, babe. =)
Love you!