In June of 1987, Ronald Reagan stood at the barrier dividing East and West Berlin and challenged the leader of the Soviet Union to free the captive nations under his control. 'Mr. Gorbachev,' thundered the American president, 'tear down this wall!'
The fact is, I am spoiled. I never get sick. I've never spent a night in a hospital since I was born (and then, my mother stayed with me). I've never broken a bone. I've never had a major operation. I am absurdly healthy, and I can take no credit for any of this. So, naturally, when I get sick, I am insufferable.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel stuck, and I am not sure what to do. I have worked on and off for a few years now after having had a good job for decades. After my work situation changed, I stopped doing everything, including my taxes. I know today is Tax Day, but I have done absolutely nothing to file. It's almost like I took myself off the grid, but I'm worried that what little money I am earning will be taken away — or worse — if I don't get it together and get up to date. As my mother used to say, 'You don't have to do anything in life other than pay taxes and die.' Why am I being so irresponsible? I can't seem to shake out of it. What do you recommend I do to turn this around? — No More Hiding DEAR NO MORE HIDING: Congratulations for looking your problem in the face. The only way to resolve this is to address it, and you are right: You must file your taxes. The government does not forget you if you neglect it!
CLINTON DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL
There's been an ongoing political debate lately about crimes committed by migrants who entered the United States illegally. Actually, there's not much to debate about their first unlawful act — entering the United States without authorization — but much disagreement about how many illegal border crossers commit crimes after that.