I’m not opposed to paying taxes. Taxes are the price we pay for civilization and for the services we’ve come to expect from government. As P.J. O’Rourke once observed one wealthy man, even if he cheats on his taxes, puts more into the public coffers than many poor men. Annette and i don’t have kids so the public school system gets real value for their dollar from us.

But i’d like to take a moment to point out what i’ve paid to Idaho in just the past year. I’m only mentioning the highlights.

1. About $2,300 in sales tax for the airstream i bought in Washington + registration
2. About $1,750 in sales tax for the Chevy pickup a bought in New Mexico + registration
3. About $5,500 in state tax due almost entirely to the Apple stock i bought decades ago in New York, yet sold whilst living in Idaho

I would argue that i’ve paid my, and several other people’s, fair share of the taxes collected in 2009.

In other news, the trailer is nearly ready to roll. The cat keeps an eye on the packing progress.

And here are two snapshots from earlier this winter.