Quote of the Day

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While doing some accounting yesterday for the 2017 tax season (does this make me a nerdish nerd?), I was also putting on my shoulder pads and helmet in preparation for tonight’s battle royal, and reminded of something my father used to love saying: “There are only two certainties in life: death and taxes.”

Much to the chagrin of a young boy who couldn’t give a damn about taxes and knew that, because he was built of a mixture of Inconel, steel, titanium and tungsten, the first part didn’t apply to him, it grew tiring listening to that same rant throughout the years.

Until I first paid taxes. Then had knee surgery. And then had to pay for the ambulance that drove me to the hospital even though my taxes pay for a “universal healthcare system.” (ed. note: Canada also has the distinction of being the only country in the world with a universal healthcare system that does not include coverage of prescription medication.)

But to the Quote of the Day! I was always curious who that famous statement about death and taxes could be attributed to, and now I think I have the answer. The year was 1789 and a real go-getter named Benny F. (aka Benjamin Franklin) was writing a letter when in it he stated:

“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”