The coming quadrennial national election is all about the sourcing and distribution of money – how individuals earn it, what portion government takes, and toward what ends the remainder is devoted. The perpetual dilemma is balancing responsibility for meeting societal needs between private-sector enterprise and public-sector confiscation. Recent federal and state administrations have deviated from former peacetime norms by broadening complex multi-level tax codes and raising rates, largely to benefit public safety, infrastructure, education and healthcare for both citizens and aliens. The result, complicated by a multi-year pandemic, is record national indebtedness equivalent to about $100,000 per individual and direct personal obligations averaging $7,000 per cardholder, exclusive of mortgage debt and other asset encumbrances. Cash flow devoted to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is reduced when rampant cost inflation relative to personal earnings is so disproportionate. These conditions, applicable to persons and corporations, force reliance on discretionary expense reduction and technological innovation to sustain family lifestyles and commercial operations. The looming threat of international military conflict adds further dimension to apprehension about restoring more donor-friendly levels of taxation. Phil Osifer