Today is one of the most important days of the year.
Although it is not an official holiday, Tax Freedom Day, which is the day average Americans have earned enough money to pay their taxes for the year, is cause for both celebration and frustration. We celebrate because from now until the end of the year, we are working for ourselves rather than the government. However, the frustration usually outweighs any celebrating. Over one-third of 1998 has passed, and only now can we start to pay for our homes, cars, clothing, college educations, and food. For this reason, tax relief has been one of my highest priorities since entering the U.S. Senate, but changing the course of our tax system is like trying to turn the Titanic on a dime.