& Taxes

I'm altogether too terrified to talk about death, but I like discussing taxes. It's topic that deserves all the attention it gets.

If money makes the world go round, then taxes are the physics in the equation  They are the gravity, the motion, the velocity. Taxes always get things done. But the things they do isn't always good. Sometimes, they stymie good intentions. Sometimes they drive good people and companies to do bad things. Or simply drive 'em away.

But taxes feel good too. Smooth roads make my ancient car feel young again. New playgrounds, good schools, impressive libraries, quality first responses make neighborhoods fun, safe and interesting. Fun, safe and interesting neighborhoods attract fun, safe and interesting people. Fun, safe and interesting people buy stuff and pay more taxes. The neighborhood street gets swanky new light-poles and the neighborhood school can afford a nurse and counselor.

Of course, when taxes increase, you don't always get what you pay for. Especially at the ferderal level, it can be difficult to see your tax dollars at work. You hear about tremendous waste and inefficiency. Many times the reports are true.

However, while you decipher evidence of bureaucratic waste, do consider that your city was not invaded, your breakfast didn't kill you, your house is structurally sound, a satellite just passed overhead and will recommend you bring an umbrella today, a rover on Mars is snapping photos for you so you don't have to, back on Earth, not every animal is extinct and somewhere in a small lab a government employee is making the next internet/fuel source/medical discovery. Quietly, your taxes are at work.

Conversely, while you may not always get exactly what you pay for when you increase taxes, when you decrease 'em, you always do. Sometimes, this is marvelous. It's money in the bank. But, other times, the mentally ill don't get the care they need. Without that care, someone might hassle you in the street today. Might even shoot you dead. It can be that dramatic. Or it just might be that what used to be a publicly provided service becomes private and profitable.

So, it's all good and bad. Which means the very framework of our current conversation about taxes is all wrong. The arguments are dogmatic. The pledges are insipid. The fear is palpable.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Higher taxes could be the super hero. Lower taxes could be our savior. And this could happen at the same time.

I think it might be easy. Say, you're a business. You're paying taxes, naturally. All the cool ones do. Let's say you decide to start an investigation into sustainable practices. Research into that gets you a tax break. Sharing your research (especially among similar industries) gets you another. Implementation of your sustainability investment provides a massive tax break. Hey, you're helping everybody now. It's appreciated. That extra cash allows you to cut waste to zero. Closing the loop entirely? Okay, no taxes for you. No, really. Thanks.

Meanwhile, the EPA, OSHA, and a host of other agencies are seeing their experts pulled into the private field. It's okay, we need less government now that good corporate governance is incentivized like an X-Prize. Good things are getting done.

Overly optimistic? Probably. But corporations behave like young children. If they start making their beds, they might deserve an increase in their allowance.

'12 Songs I Heard

I started sending annual collections of favorites about a decade ago. I try to adhere to a rule that the song was released or reissued in some form in the past 12 months. Naturally, I've broken that rule a few times (always with the best intentions). 

Since about '07, I've used the year to dictate the amount of songs. I figure I can continue that trend for a spell. The limit keeps the quantity manageable. Otherwise, the collection could go for days and days (For instance... this year, Thurston Moore's new band Chelsea Light Moving would've been featured as song number 13, Mind Spiders 14, Cat Power probably 15... and so on). 

I hope you find these picks to your liking. If I've omitted your favorite, please tell.

King Tuff - Anthem. Bottom of the Hill was absolutely bonkers. Swirly, sweaty, bumpy. One kid stage dove right to the ER. He probably claimed later that it was worth it. I could’ve taken any song off this record. Picked this one ‘cause it’s a solid start. Buy the rest, you’ll be happy.

Waters – Way Back to You. Yeah, millennial. I’m sure he’s annoying. Just look at that haircut. And yet… on this song he does a real good job replicating that 90s Superchunk sound, which my wife will tell you I’m a completely powerless against.

Nick Cave, Warren Ellis (Featuring Emmylou Harris) – Cosmonaut. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis make a record with Emmylou Harris, Ralph Stanely, Willie Nelson, and Mark Lenegan and virtually no one seems to care. Weird, yes?

Regina Spektor – Small Town Moon. Up on a ridiculously gigantic, outdoor stage, there’s absolutely no reason that her piano and voice should’ve sounded so right. But they did.

Grinderman – Palaces of Monezuma Nick Cave released this ode to his wife in 2011. In early in 2012, Grinderman released three remixes. This one’s faster than the original and easily the best song of the year… even if it ain’t exactly of this year.

Royal Headache - Never Again These Aussies have been accused of ripping off pretty much every British brand from 1968-1978. ‘Course, everybody plunders. At least they chose wisely. Sounds to me like a mod Rod Stewart fronting the Jam. The Mrs. says this song features “Todd tempo.” Fair enough.

Lord Shorty & Vibrations International – Vibrations Groove Less of a song than a lesson from the godfather of soca music. Strut and Numero Group keep mining the world for gems. Spend an hour on their websites and dig, dig, dig.

The Boss – Death to my Hometown Wrecking Ball is the Great Recession dust bowl record. Springsteen spells it out simple: We were fleeced with that pen Guthrie warned us about. This entire record is the best and most honest tribute Woody got for his 100^th. 

First Aid Kit – King of the World The Swedes keep taking our Americana and giving it back with a tasty meatball sittin’ on top. These sisters write and harmonize beautifully. Conner Oberst backs ‘em up nicely. The fiddle is weepy. The horns are lovely. And I don’t mind the handclaps, do you?

Dan Deacon – USA VI The Manifest I’m not sure this song can handle the implied scope. America’s a big topic best left to country music and Copeland. And yet, Deacon’s dizzying brand of industrial is pretty compelling. I get the impression he listened to the Wax Trax greats back in the day. I read he has a classical/formal musical education and I think I can actually kinda sorta hear it. Although, honestly, I’m not even sure what that means.  

The Coup – Your Parent’s Cocaine (Featuring Anti-Flag) Aside from MCA’s departure, 2012 was a good year for hip hop. Killer Mike’s record is amazing (especially “Reagan” and “R.A.P. Music”), Death Grips kept on pushing buttons, and Big Boi’s new record is solid. But I think I liked The Coup best. Despite a populist earnestness that made them the soundtrack to Oakland Occupy, they still managed to make the most fun and danceable record of the year (Joe Strummer + Sly Stone).

DK – Moon Over Marin Yeah, breaking the rules with this one. Obviously not released or reissued or remixed in 2012, this song contributed heavily to my prejudices about all territory north of the Golden Gate Bridge (which I now call home). But the Dead Kennedys were only about 50% correct about everything. And their name-calling demise was uglier than anything I’ve seen up here in Millbury. Still, I love this song and I’ve been humming it since the day I arrived.