I'm at a loss for a way to live a tax-free day!

With last weekend being a break from the usual sales taxes on clothing and school items and with the government continuing to raise our taxes every time we turn around, I tried again to figure out a way to get a little break for myself from taxes.

"It sure would be a nice break to just be able to live a day or two with no taxes," I thought. "There must be a way to live tax free for at least one day!"

Determined to do it, I set out to enjoy at least one tax-free day. Who knows, I might like it and decide to make it last two days or even a whole week.

What could I do? If I went to work, I'd have to pay income taxes, both state and federal; so I most reluctantly decided to take the day off.

I couldn't drink or smoke, because the government taxes those items big time! That's all right, I really don't drink or smoke.

I thought of sitting back and watching TV, but there are state and local taxes on my cable bill. I'm sure there wasn't anything worth watching on TV anyway!

I picked up my phone to consult with my tax man, but then I remembered all those federal and state taxes on my telephone bill and quickly hung up.

Perhaps I could drive out to the lake and go fishing? That should be safe. But what about those fuel taxes and property taxes on my truck? I couldn't drive, so I'd have to walk or ride my bike. But my fishing license? Isn't that just another way the state taxes me and raises money? Well, I doubt if the fish were biting at the lake, anyway!

The same is true for hunting. There are taxes on guns and taxes on ammo, and there are even taxes on reloading supplies. And even though hunting licenses in Arkansas are reasonable compared to a number of other states, buying a license is still a tax.

I'd just have to stay home and find something to eat. But, do you know what? There are property taxes on my house, sales tax on my food, and energy taxes on my gas and electricity!

I could pitch a tent in my back yard and just camp out without going anywhere, but you can't buy a tent without taxes -- not even on a sales tax holiday.

So, what could I do on my tax-free holiday? I thought and thought but I couldn't think of any living thing I could do without in some way being taxed.

Then I remembered the saying that the only things certain in life are death and taxes. It seems to be true. I wondered about dying.

Would or could I be tax free by dying?

"If I die," I thought, "surely I can't be taxed! Maybe, I'll just have to put off my tax-free day a little longer."

But then I remembered there would be taxes on my estate, and taxes on my funeral too! There might even be taxes on my grave site.

"Talk about taxation without representation! I'll be denied my right to vote when I'm dead and yet there are still taxes."

What could I do? I was left with no choice. I got up and went to work so I could pay my taxes!

The truth is there is no way to do anything anymore without in some way paying taxes. You just can't live a day, or even die, without 'em!

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Editorial on 08/06/2014