Our Tax System Explained: Bar Stool Economics

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20.' Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free.
But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.
So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
'I only got a dollar out of the $20,'declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!'
'Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too.
It's unfair that he got ten times more than I got' 'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'
'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for be ing wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics
University of Georgia

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.
For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each.

The villagers seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest, and started catching them.

The man bought thousands at $10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort.

He further announced that he would now buy at $20.

This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.

Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms.

The offer increased to $25 each and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!

The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50!

However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on behalf of him.

In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers. 'Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected.

I will sell them to you at $35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell them to him for $50 each.'

The villagers rounded up with all their savings and bought all the monkeys.

Then they never saw the man nor his assistant again, only monkeys everywhere!

So now you have a better understanding of how the stock market works.

My son asked my wife and I why no one had told him Happy Birthday. He had just started Kindergarten and the day was almost over before we realized what we had done. With all the tragedy and loss of life we had forgotten his birthday. We did finally sing Happy Birthday and gave him his presents.

That was 7 years ago today. He was born on September 11th. His birthday will never be the same. I woke up this morning and saw a healthy and strong teenage young man... and wished him a Happy Birthday first thing!

DEAR GOD:

I want to thank You for what you have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now..
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears ; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now.
I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles...

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

(Keep in mind this is from a 15 year old whom I am unbelievably proud of!)

This is Scott’s daughter.

July 14th-18th of 2008 I had an eye opening experience that you know only could have come from God. This week I attended my church camp Super Summer. Here we play many games, get in the water, experience crazy adrenaline rushes on the high ropes course, and meet some pretty cool people. To a teenager wouldn’t you think that that would be the most amazing part of camp? No. God touched my heart and the others in my youth group that week. 7 of us 24 accepted Christ into their hearts. The speaker Ryan Fontenot was nothing short of amazing along with the band The Epic Press who gave a whole new meaning to worshiping God through song. I will give you an overview of what we learned.

Day one.

Everyone is excited to be at camp, to see old friends and to meet new ones. Our first chapel meeting was going over our goals for the week. These consisted of knowing Jesus more deeply, following Jesus more closely, worshiping Jesus more honestly, and to share Jesus more clearly. He ended with “This week we’re going straight to Jesus”. He used the verses

Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.”

In this he told us to pray to God that he will do a God thing in you, in your life, in those around you, in those who are hurting. “Ask and it will be given to you..”

The next chapel we attended was split girls and guys. I apologize for only being able to give you the girls lesson. Ryan explained the verse

Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pigs snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.

He started out with telling us that we are all beautiful.

Psalms 45:10-11 Listen o daughter, consider and give ear: forget your people and your father’s house. The King is enthralled with your beauty; honor him for he is your Lord. (A great verse that reminds me that all of us are beautiful).

So all women are considered beautiful in these verses. Then he defined the word discretion: the trait of judging wisely and objectively. So beauty without proper judgment is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. In these times pigs were the lowest of all animals and the snout of a pig is the dirtiest part on him. So a woman who does not choose to be modest or who chooses to chase after guys rather than God is like a gold ring in the filthiest of all animals nose. Gross!

Day two morning chapel Ryan helps us to fully understand the meaning of the verse:

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you because of your youth rather set an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

From this I learned that we as the youth in our church need to step it up a notch. God says we need to be the examples. Ryan said that if you ask to serve in your church (something reasonable of course, so not to preach a sermon) and they tell you no you can’t or you’re too young, leave. That is not what God says should be done. Ryan gave us a little lesson in Greek which is what the new testament was originally written in. Kataphroneo (cat-uh-fruh-nay-o), which means to think against, that is, disesteem; to think little or nothing of, the word for despise. The word for youth neotes (nee-o-tays) the exact meaning- newness, that is, youthfulness- youth. Tupos (two-poss) means a figure formed by a blow or an impression, an example to be imitated. The next part of that verse tells how we should be the examples, in speech or logos (log-oss) the act of speaking, speech, a continuous speaking discourse-instruction.

James 3:9-10 with the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in Gods likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers this should not be.

Ephesians 4:29 do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Be an example in conduct or anastrophe (an-as-trow-fee) manner of life, conduct, behavior.

Ephesians 5:15-16 be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

James 2:18 but someone will say “you have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

Be an example to the believers in love or agape (uh-gop-ay) love, that is, affection.

Matthew 19:19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Set an example in faith pistis (pis-tis) moral conviction, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; belief, believe, faith, fidelity. And last but no least, be an example in purity hagneia (ha-ga-nee-uh) purity-sinless in life.

Ephesians 5:3 but among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed because these are improper for Gods holy people.

This was what we learned in morning chapel every day… it took 3 days to explain this. We as youth need to step up we can do great things.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

The first evening worship Ryan gave his testimony. He grew up in the church was very involved with the church, had meetings with his youth pastor to study the bible and help teach it. It wasn’t until he was 18 that he realized that he wasn’t saved. He had been playing church his entire life.

Isaiah 29:13 the Lord says “these people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”

There is an outside appearance that we must be aware of.

Matthew 23:25-28 “woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

It’s the inside reality that matters most.

Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them the heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

God is always thinking about the heart. He knows what is in your heart, he knows you.

1 Samuel 16:7 but the Lord said to Samuel, “ Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

After Ryan preached that night he had an invitation. 5 people from our youth got up. The band at this time was playing the song How Great is our God. The presence of the Lord was so strong that night everyone was in tears. This was officially my favorite night. After the sermon we went and met with our individual youth groups. The original plan was to do something fun and light hearted but instead we went around telling our testimonies. Tears of joy were flowing out of all our eyes as we listened to how the Lord was working through us.

The next evening service was titled Is Jesus Worth it? Your first obvious church answer is yes. But do you really believe that?

Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but for whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Is Jesus worthy of your life?

Matthew 10:37-38 “anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Is Jesus worthy of your love?

Philippians 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Ryan here explained that we as Christians like to dance around the bush called sin. We try to get as close as possible without touching it. But what we really need to focus on is God and see how close we can get to God. Do you know what rubbish is? Its animal poop. All the things of this world Paul calls it poop. Don’t be a poop chaser; don’t chase the things of this world chase God. The fourth question is, Is Jesus worth your loyalty?

Luke 5:11 So they pulled their boats up on shore and left everything.

Luke 5:27-28 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Mark 10:28 Peter said to him,” We have left everything to follow you!”

Jesus is there saying follow me, leave everything and follow him.

The next evening chapel was titled forGIVEness.

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

The Greek word for forgiveness is aphesis (ah-fee-sis) meaning to release from bondage of imprisonment let go as if it never happened. This brings a whole new meaning to forgiveness. People say I forgive you but I’ll never forget. WRONG! “But they did something really wrong to me! It’s not fair that I have to forgive them!” Ok people you don’t want fair. If God was fair guess what! You wouldn’t be here. If we got fair then we would get Hell. Forgiveness is granted by God.

Psalms 103:2-3 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all you sins and heals all your diseases.

Psalms 130:3-4 If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiveness is enabled by God.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.

Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

In your church your youth probably get together and call it a youth group. There are groups of youth everywhere. The cheerleaders, the jocks, the group of kids that hang out at the coffee shop or the bowling alley these are all groups of youth. There is a difference between a youth group and a youth ministry. And I can only pray that the youth body in every church is a youth ministry. Ready to stand up for God, to forgive one another, to be the examples, and to chase after God in all that they do. I pray this too for my youth ministry.

So the last day of camp we again split up boys in one class girls in another. This time we talk about how to walk like a woman. There are 3 points that help you to do so.

1. Walk in the Word

Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you

1. Walk in Humility

Matthew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 20:27-28 and whoever wants to be first but be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as ransom for many.

1. Never walk alone

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

God does not expect you to go through life alone. He is always there for you, but it is always good to have an accountability partner, someone who you can look up to, someone who knows the Lord and has a stronger faith than you or is in the same boat as you. That last part of Ecclesiastes 4:12 says a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. God is that third strand.

Later we all got back together and learned to Live the Life.

Jeremiah 1:4-8 the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Ah, Sovereign Lord” I said,” I do not know how to speak I am only a child.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child’ you must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” Declares the Lord

• You were created by God

• You were considered by God

• You were chosen by God

• You were called by God

• You are covered by God

The theme of this week was WAKE UP!!

Romans 13:11 another reason for right living is that you know how late it is, time is running out. Wake up for the coming salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Wake up Christians! Time is running out and we need to share our faith our salvation with those who are still asleep. So that when Jesus comes back we will have nothing to fear. So we can all walk the streets of heaven someday!