My Dad sent this story to our family group chat last week and I thought it was on point. Not sure if the story is true or not, but I think the lesson is important. Enjoy
In 1888, a bridge was built in Chicago to connect two parts of the city. A toll was charged but officials wanted it to be a "progressive" tax. Rich people will pay more to cross
They had an idea, rich people wear shoes (it's 1888 remember), so they decided to charge a tax based on that. If you cross the bridge wearing shoes you pay a tax, but if you are barefoot, you cross for free.
Simple
Easy
Difficult to avoid
Brilliant.
But it failed.
Why?
The rich simply took off their shoes and crossed the bridge. (Tax Avoidance)
The poor?
They did not want to be seen as poor, so they would wear shoes or borrow shoes to cross the bridge.
First off, rap lied to us
Y'all ain't figured that yet?
They got the whole world tryna ball out
How you ball so hard but you still got debt?
I don't respect anybody that's trying to flex
Y'all lookin' the weakest
Cause I was with a billionaire last week and the boy had Payless sneakers on (get money)
-“Know That’s Right” By Andy Mineo