When I read our blog topic, "Which of your ethics might be for sale? At what price?" my first reaction was a shocked and defensive "NONE". But after some further thought...
I believe in being honest, and in being honest no matter what the consequences. That means that I believe in obeying the law and paying my taxes honestly, even if I think The Man is robbing me blind. I think it's obvious by now that I'm conservative. I don't believe in a large government machine, or a lot of government granted benefits. The idea of an extensive government scares me; it's not something I want to pay to support. BUT- no matter what I believe, I am a citizen and I feel ethically bound to uphold the law, even if the law sucks.
Despite all this, I have to admit, if I knew I could never be caught, I would be sorely, sorely tempted never to pay taxes again. SORELY tempted. I could probably think of myself as a sort of modern day Robin Hood, and donate my tax money to charities and feel pretty wonderful, knowing my money was actually being put to good use, actually helping someone. The idea itself, of cheating the government and getting away with it, has, I must admit, a sort of outlaw appeal, and I don't think I'm alone in believing this. Don't we all want, just a little bit, to stick it to The Man? It's a classic American refrain, after all.
Would I cheat the government if I could get away with it?... for possible future legal reasons, ABSOLOUTELY NOT. But if anyone has figured out how to avoid taxes without detection, just slip me a note in class and I'll swear the blood oath or whatever.
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You know, I recognize that the government's not perfect by any means. But I've never really felt all that screwed over by them. Course, I know that I'm young and that my time WILL come. So I don't really have any deep seated desire to stick it to the government. However, I would LOVE to stick it to the University some time! They've definately screwed me a few too many times, and if I could get away with keeping some money, I would kinda enjoy the outlaw feeling. :-)
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