Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 09:35:31 -0400 (EDT)
From: lewiss-AT-cofc.edu
Subject: redirect the tax refund


Within the next few weeks many of us on this list will be receiving up to
$600 as a tax refund from the US gov't. There is probably a fairly large
majority of that many that feels awkward about getting money back when
poor US taxpayers aren't getting anything at all, when we believe that
federal and state government should be supporting education, health,
social security, etc. more  rather than less, and when we recognize how
far all those millions of checks could go if applied to aid to poorer
countries.  So, feeble though the gesture might be, I suggest that those
of us fortunate enough to be receiving tax refunds should redirect the
money to the programs that we believe tax should support; pass on the
largesse to the non-profit organization, school, college, political 
pressure group, or charity of your choice. Maybe send your Congress
representative a letter explaining how you've divvied up the payment and
why. It won't solve anything, perhaps, but it's something, and, as the
KiSwahili proverb has it, drop by drop, the bucket fills.
Simon

Simon Lewis
Assistant Professor of English
Editor--Illuminations: An International Magazine of Contemporary Writing
http://www.cofc.edu/Illuminations

Department of English
College of Charleston
66 George Street
Charleston SC, 29424-0001

Tel: 843-953-1993; Fax: 843-953-3180





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