Here's a interesting number, $7750 (approximate).

That's the "tax" every man, woman, and child would have to pay if we treated the US Federal budget the way you might "fairly" divide up a dinner check with your friends. If the bill was $100 and there were 4 people eating, they'd each pay $25. (Ok, I know, we have to kick in an extra $5 each for the tip, and you always have a few folks out there who want separate checks, but, go with me on this for a second. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

So, what if you took the total projected 2005 federal spending and divided by the current US population; you get about $7750 each. I know that it's unimaginable to think that we just divide up the cost equally, but, the number was interesting to me. It's like when they tell you how much your local school system is spending per pupil.

The US Federal Budget, a little under $8000/person/year. That's what the government is costing us, and that's only at the federal level. The good news is, this $8000 fee would be the only tax, that figure covers the entire Federal budget. No corporate taxes, estate taxes, federal fuel taxes, capital gain taxes, dividend taxes, etc etc etc are needed if somehow everyone pays their slice of the federal pie.

So, for my family of 3, I'm looking at a little under $24000. That's what my share of Washington is. Personally, I don't think we need to spend that much, but, I can live with paying what my family's share is, especially if I know everyone else is facing the exact same fee. Today, that number is like a scorecard. If you have a family of 3 like mine, and you're paying less than $24000, then you're in luck, if you're paying more, well, you're helping pay for your dinner, and someone else's too. Imagine if every new pork project your Senator proposed increased your "slice of the pie" directly. (Hey, being from the People's Republic of Massachusetts, we know all about governement waste, ah, spending.)

Ok, I know this per capita fee thing isn't really going to happen, but it's more a point to show that "fair" can be interpreted a number of ways. As others have pointed out, it's pretty hard to come to grips with the concept of fair, because one person's fair, might just mean more cost to you, whereas your "fair" might cost someone else money.

Ok, enough; because of another bizzare concept, I now will turn the clock back one hour and go to sleep. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />