Taking a more light hearted approach to death today. But before I go on, if for some reason you’ve never seen Meet Joe Black, but plan to one day, maybe you better not read any further. I don’t want to spoil anything. Thus the rather vague title of the post today.
I love it when a tried and true cliché finds new life. When a famous phrase connects with us both because of its very familiarity, its cliché quota if you will, and also because it breathes new energy into those words. It’s as if the cliché could or should have been written specifically for its present use. It fits that well.
Seeing as how tax season is upon us, one of my favourite film lines comes to mind. Upon using an income tax ruse to beat the bad guy of the movie, Brad Pitt, as Joe Black aka Death, delivers the simply perfect retort, “Death and taxes.” The timing of both the line and its delivery, absolutely wonderful. Speaking volumes on so many levels.
These are all largely results of urbanized lifestyle today where people are always in a rush. cialis generic uk The National Popular Vote Plan would benefit both races: Both races generic sildenafil viagra have a common bi-partisan interest in having their voices matter and heard. If you notice the prolonged stiffness of male cialis generic france reproductive system may come in any point of the day. Foe example, women have short, broad 100mg viagra effects unica-web.com and straight urinary tracts, making bacteria easily get into them; and the easy infections often happen to people with congenital short urethra and vagina. Those three little words (not just those other famous three little words) have been connected for some time. Apparently the first author to use to use them was Daniel Defoe in 1726, in The Political History of the Devil. He wrote, “Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed.” It wasn’t until 1789 when the more familiar version of the phrase was uttered by Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy. In 1817, it was re-printed in The Works of Benjamin Franklin. “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
Amazing all the various types of taxation over the centuries, so many purported to be just temporary when first imposed. Seems like once a tax is in place, it’s there to stay, no matter what the politicians may tell us. So hard to give something up once it’s there. And besides, it’s not all their money they’re playing with anyway. Much easier to spend someone else’s. Think of them as the biggest personal shopper of all time. Except we get minimal, if any final say over their purchases. Not that I’m saying taxes don’t have their place, and can be spent on worthy and needed things, but it sure would be a lot easier to fork over hard earned money if so much didn’t get wasted. Spent so much more carelessly than we as individuals dare.
So, if after you’ve filed your 2009 return, if you feel the need for a commiserating smile, a laugh or several, and some tender and poignant moments, how about watching Meet Joe Black? Three hours of entertainment, taxes included. Or tax free if you borrow it from the library…oh wait, that’s funded by taxes…hmmmm.
Death and taxes. Two things that are simply inescapable. Good thing only one of them happens every year.
