"Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's."

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In other words, I drove off to the county courthouse to pay property taxes Monday afternoon. Normally, you could mail it in, but it was addressed to mother, so I needed to make the change. Since she lived here part of 2006 and was over 65, the over 65 rates applied. But the taxes for 2007 will double because she is deceased.

When I lived in Jackson, the taxes were bundled in the monthly mortgage payment which included principal, interest, taxes and insurance. So I never really thought about it. But since there is no mortgage on this house, I have to deal with it.

In this county, it looks like the property taxes are very roughly pegged to 1% of the appraised value of the property. But in looking back, in Jackson, the taxes were approximately 1.75% of the appraised value.

I figure I pay income taxes, property taxes, ad valorem taxes on the car, sales taxes for merchandise, taxes on telephone service, taxes on prepared meals which is more than than on merchandise and that varies according to where you eat. It may be 7.5% in one area, but 9% in another. And I'm sure I'm missing some items.

Shouldn't Caesar be off slaughtering Visigoths and Vandals?

(Coin image: Roman Historical Coins)

PAX!