As April 15th approaches, I’m reminded of one of my favorite songs: “Taxman.” George Harrison wrote it 50 years ago, but it still resonates.

“Let me tell you how it will be,
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman

Should five percent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat,
If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet …”

Well, I’m tired of it. Maybe you are too. While most of us agree that horrendous waste occurs at every step in the process, not to mention cronyism and corruption, we appear to put up with it. We accept the inevitability … “death and taxes.”

This, then, is my annual groan made public. The only other evidence that I hold this entire process in contempt is a word on my annual check to the US Treasury. In the description field, I always write “EXTORTION!” in red ink.

Telling the truth is sometimes my only satisfaction.