free-file

You should be getting those W-2s soon, people. How about this year you do your taxes early. Really look at those final numbers. If you are in the low federal tax brackets you are giving Illinois a lot of money back, huh? You probably have to write Illinois a check. You should think about what a high percentage of you're income you've given the state in sales taxes already. It's a lot more than 3%. It's OK to be frustrated. In fact, get pissy, indignant, and self-righteous. God knows that people in high tax-brackets do. Know how I know? Because they hire accountants who hide their income and know the loop holes and jargon of tax filing. But you, gentle reader, may not be able to afford more than a simple free-file online, and that thing won't tell you how to cheat the government. The "haves" bitch about the "have nots" who are living on the dole and using services that they pay for. Well guess what...you have been paying for them too and now services are being slashed from the state budget. Now what?

GET THE FLAT TAX OUT OF THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION THIS MAY

Write or call your elected officials now. A sample dialogue:

"Hi, my name is ______. I am a resident of the ____ district and you represent me. Even if you aren't up for reelection, this May I want you to vote "aye" when they're all like, "who wants to get the tax system on the ballot in 2010?" Please and thank you."

Easy! Then vote for tax-brackets in the fall. Piece of cake! Then the state government can get some dollars fair and square.