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Talk of 'pain' distorts public's view of taxes

I just finished Bruce DeSilva's detective novel "Providence Rag." As you might have deduced by the title, it's mainly about investigative journalism.

In one of the chapters, the main character, an investigative journalist for a once prospering but now floundering newspaper turns down a job offer from the Rhode Island governor to be her press secretary. Why? Because investigative journalism is about finding truth, not playing the "spin" game.

Here's my query. Whereas most newspapers, including the Daily Herald, are much more about truth than spin, all seem to be knee-deep in spin when it comes to taxes. Just as politicians spin their efforts to protect the public pocketbook by constantly referring to the "pain" of taxes, newspaper columns and articles frequently follow suit.

Taxes, simply put, are payments. Do newspapers ever talk about the pain of mortgage payments? The pain of car payments? The pain of child support payments? Never. But taxes are always reported as being painful. What gives?

I've experienced two kidney stone episodes. A broken wrist. Those were painful experiences. But I've paid taxes my whole life. Sales taxes, income taxes, property taxes. Whatever. And never experienced one bit of pain. And based on my experience, I find it hard to believe that taxes are painful for anybody, including politicians and journalists.

Spin or the truth? Are taxes a pain or a responsibility? Isn't the metaphor an unfair stretch?

George Peternel

Arlington Heights

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