As many Arkansans rush to beat the April 17th tax deadline this year, we wanted to take a moment to think about what it is we actually get for our annual payments. No one likes paying taxes. Even those of us who see taxes as a necessary part of life do not enjoy the act of forking over our hard-earned money. The irony is that we have these thoughts at the same time we’re sitting safely in our homes or offices, or driving down streets and highways, or taking our kids to good public schools.

The fact is, our tax dollars fund the fire and police services that allow us to sit safely in our homes or offices. Our tax dollars pay for the roads we drive on every day. And our tax dollars make it possible for our kids to get a good education so they can grow up to be productive members of society. As much as we dislike paying those taxes, we certainly enjoy the freedom and productivity granted to us by the availability of these services.

Please take time this week to be grateful – even if only for a minute – for the shared services we all enjoy thanks to our tax dollars. It’s perfectly normal to grouse a bit about the money you contribute, especially if you have to cut a big check this month. No one likes parting with their money. Remember, though, that taxes fund programs that make our communities better places to live.