Taxes are one way of doing our part

I was sort of telling the truth about taxes.

There was a guy waving some papers near the entrance to the grocery store the other day. "Do you want to cut taxes?" he asked me.

Soon as I spotted the clipboard, I quickened my pace — I was in a hurry anyway — but I gave him a smile and cheerfully said, "Actually, I like taxes."

He grinned, and another man passing by laughed. I don't think they believed me.

But it is almost true. I have to work on my attitude about taxes this time every year, so I expect that with some self-coaching I'll be able to smile as I put my property-tax payments in the mail slot today.

I'll think of parks, schools, roads and other public pieces of the community.

And I'll understand that some settling may occur during shipping. A certain amount of waste, inefficiency and unfairness is inevitable, but I won't dwell on those mice in the public granary.

I don't mean anyone should ignore them. If not for a few vigilant people, they'd be even more of a problem.

It's just that I won't use them as an excuse not to toss in my share of the common burden.

My answer to the man with the petition was less about liking taxes than wanting most of what they pay for.

And I distrust initiatives, especially ones that deal with taxes.

There is a huge need for change in the state and federal tax systems, but tax initiatives are usually just about folks not wanting to ante up.

They are rarely well thought-out and usually full of destructive potential.

In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 13, which limited property taxes and made a mess of one of the best education systems in the country.

The list of negative effects it had is long, but it also touched off a flurry of tax-cut initiatives all over.

We've had more than our share in this state, so I didn't stop to find out what this one was about.

I think about all the places a little public money could do some good.

Lately, I've been dodging the potholes that seem to accompany the arrival of spring weather.

That's something local government ought to take care of.

The state has some bigger roadwork planned; I see it is leaning toward a plan to spend $8.1 billion on road projects.

That's a lot of nickels and dimes, but we can afford it.

I looked up the Census Bureau's tax rankings. In 2005, Washington's per-capita tax collection was the 16th highest. It was also 16th in per-capita personal income that year.

Our taxes aren't out of whack with our income overall, even though they do weigh heavily on poorer people. The latter ought to be fixed.

Now I have to get myself psyched up about paying federal income taxes in a few days.

That's going to be a bit harder, knowing how much money is going to a needless war.

Maybe I'll concentrate on those repairs to Mount Rainier National Park.

That could come to nearly $100 million. The park needs my money.

I'm so happy.

Jerry Large's column appears Monday and Thursday. Reach him at 206-464-3346 or jlarge@seattletimes.com.