Taxes and gifts

Taxes make sense.  I don't really know why people are opposed to them?  I've never really understood the tax system until this year and I've always kind of assumed that if you were in X tax bracket then you payed Y taxes... but that's not it at all over here.  I pay the same taxes as everyone else in a tax bracket until my actual income goes into the next tax bracket and then ONLY that additional money is taxed at the higher amount.  How can people argue with this?  It is simply saying that everyone gets a certain amount to like on and is taxed equally.  Then, when you earn more than that basic amount, you get taxed more because you are in the "luxury" zone.  

So what does this money go towards?  Well, schools, fire departments, security, roads, infrastructure, health care and all the other good things that are covered under proper governance.  Why would people not want to give back to society in this way?  I think this desire for not paying for such things stems from this individualistic society that has so clearly gone to far.  I am all for personal expression and certain rights to privacy and responsibility, but the culture of the day is rooted so much in oneself that it completely removes the notion of the whole.  American's seem to feel that they can unite behind the might of military power and "no man left behind", but then not want their taxes to actually take care of their neighbours through the provision of health care, social services, or even proper care when soldiers return from battle.  How does that make sense?  How can a government CUT taxes during a time of supposed war?    

However, as much as I do not mind paying taxes, there is no point in double taxation... and that appears to be what the US would like to do to me.... and what the UK does when I import nice gifts for people.  Buggers.

EMS

I spent the afternoon working on my company's EMS.   i really should have been working on client documentation, but i also really want to get this stuff done.  i have this idea that as soon as the management system is established then it will be easy to maintain... but who knows.  it is a bloody pain in the ass figuring out what to do with some things; like dead single use batteries.  some people still put them in the bin!!!!! but for such small quantities they are a pain to get rid of in a reasonable cost framework...

i want pizza.