New Hampshire and the View Tax

I admit that I don't like taxes. I would rather keep my hard-earned money for myself. However, I must admit, that sometimes taxes are necessary.

Since taxation appears to be the thing to do, especially to the low and middle classes in this country, I am not surprised with things like sales tax, income tax, or even a bed tax. But, what about the so-called "View Tax?" Yes, this is an actual tax brought about by the governing thinktank in New Hampshire. Now, it sort of works like this - if you have a view that is worth seeing, it is to be taxed more than your neighbor's view of something not so interesting. This subjective tax gets more interesting when you throw in the "Potential View" aspect; that is, if you cut down all the trees obstructing the view to something worth looking at, that's okay, the state will tax you extra for this potential view.

What if the tax assessor comes around and thinks EVERYTHING in New Hampshire is absolutely gorgeous; does this mean that one's taxes will go up? What if the next assessor thinks you have a lousy view; will your taxes go down? Seems a bit subjective to me.

To say that many are up in arms would be an understatement. This absurd tax, I'm sure, has something to do with New Hampshire refusing to impose a sales tax. Instead, property owners foot the entire bill...along with renters. Keep raising property taxes and rents, this state will make it impossible to live here. Perhaps, law makers see this as a way of keeping New Hampshire 'green'....no one here....more trees, but then again, if you cut down all the trees, you'll have a wonderful and highly taxable view.

Repeal this idiotic law, New Hampshire!

Nurses, Needles, and Pain

I, like most people, have had the opportunity to visit a medical facility and be ushered about, poked, and prodded by a nurse. Many of them are actually nice and try not to make the experience worse than it already is. Then there's those who like to "torture" the unlucky souls who have entered their door. Case in point, way back when, in other words, when I was in high school, I needed a tetanus shot. I hate shots. I can't watch them pierce my or anyone else's skin. I waited nervously for the nurse to jab me with the needle, depress the plunger, yank the needle out of my arm and release me to the safety of the great outdoors. But, no. Not this nurse. She grabs my tricep, squeezes it, and says to me, "For some reason, tetanus shots hurt the worst." I turned toward her horrified and tensed. At that moment, she jabbed the needle home. So, yes, in this case, that was one of the most painful injections I have ever had; my arm throbbed for a week.

Well, time has passed, my arm recovered, and I avoid medical facilities with all my might. Recently, a high school friend graduated from nursing school. I can assure everyone that she is a kind soul and would never "torture" anyone on purpose. Her new career field inspired me...along with the evil nurse from so many years before, to design a bumper sticker for nurses...everywhere....