Dealing with tax

Abi’s Mum is driving Abi to Kia Kaha Primary school.
Abi’s Mum is having an argument with the radio.

She is saying
Give me strength
and
For real??
and 
No, Corin, don't read out any more of this shit

Corin has been reading out people’s messages about tax.
Corin can’t hear anything Abi’s mum is saying.
So he is reading out another one.
It says:

TAXATION IS THEFT

It’s not theft!!
says Abi's Mum,
It’s pooling resources for the common good!
Have you got something against schools and roads and doctors and nurses saving children’s lives?

It is Ingrid's turn to read out a message.
She reads out a message that says:

Newsflash, you don't have less because others have more.
No one owes you anything for being in a better position than you, for being luckier than you, smarter than you, more capable than you.

Abi’s Mum starts pounding the steering wheel with her fists. 
No-one gets rich all on their own no matter how smart or capable they are
she says.

Mum, Abi says,
Caleb’s mum is looking at you.

Abis Mum looks in the mirror.
She waves to Caleb's Mum to let her know she is not having a breakdown.

Ingrid is reading out another message.
It says:

Now let’s do a survey on the finances of those who have been on a benefit for generations, having never set an alarm clock in their life 

OH FFS 
says Abi’s Mum.
Cross your fingers nothing ever comes unwound in your life, you sawn-off Seymour.
Poverty is complex.
And it's not a goddamn lifestyle choice!

One more,
says Corin:

Just because someone is wealthy is not a reason they owe you anything.
That’s like saying the ugly people need to tax supermodels.
Life isn’t fair, accept that and leave others alone.
Stealing from the rich won’t teach the poor anything, then what happens?

Abi’s Mum wants to tell the radio what she thinks of that too.
But they have arrived at school.

Abi says,
Maybe put on some Adele, Mum and kisses her goodbye.

It is What's On Your Mind Time in Room 13.

Ms Barry says,
Who has something on their mind?

Abi says,
Miss, what does it mean when someone says 
Just because someone is wealthy is not a reason they owe you anything.

Ms Barry says,
Was your mum listening to Morning Report this morning too?
Abi nods.

Ms Barry says,
That was about a report that just came out about tax.
Do you remember last year when we had pizza and talked about how taxes work?
One of you asked, I think it was Saskia, if it was fair that if you work harder and make more money they take more off you?

Saskia says, I remember that Miss.

Ms Barry says,
And can you remember what I said?

Saskia says,
You said it's a little bit like how in netball sometimes you might do more than the others to win the game,
but you’ll still say we won, not I won.
We’re all in it together but some of us are in a position to contribute a bit more to make sure that we win together.

Ms Barry says,
I’m glad you remembered, Saskia.
The problem is, each time a debate like this comes up,
no-one seems to remember any of that.
So you you have to go all the way back to the beginning
and try to get everyone to see why tax is a good idea all over again,
and why it’s in everyone’s best interests for the people who have the most to contribute the most.

Zac says,
but Miss, what about Life’s not fair, deal with it?
My Dad’s always saying that.

Tane says to Zac,
What if someone kept taking your lunch off you and when you complained they told you Life’s not fair, deal with it?

Zac says,
That doesn’t happen to me, that’s what I do to other kids lol.

Everyone in Room 13 is looking at Zac now.

Ms Barry says,
I think we should have a talk at morning tea, Zac.

Ms Barry says,
Yes, life isn't always fair,
but don’t you think it’s a good idea to always try to make things as fair as we can for everyone?
Hands up who thinks it’s a good idea to try to make things better for everyone and not just say Life’s not fair, deal with it?

All the hands in Room 13 are in the air.

Even Zac’s.