Moustache Money

Some tax law prof is cooking up a legal proposal to allow a tax deduction for moustache maintenance. Needless to say, if a moustache is worth $250, a beard ought to be worth a solid grand.

Also, a recent study indicates that bearded men are found somewhat more trustworthy than clean-shaven men. In light of the fact that nearly all of our recent politicians have been clean shaven, this is not that surprising.

I find both these stories a little troubling, though. A tax break for facial hair will only encourage clean shaven men to grow beards and moustaches for all the wrong reasons. A beard ought to be, and indeed now is, a matter of the heart and soul. Those follicles go all the way down to the inmost part of a man.

We've allowed here at TLBC that a man might be clean shaven and yet carry an "inner beard", but the prospect of the reverse - those with no inner beard walking around with hairy chins - is a little disquieting. One would always have to wonder whether this man or that had grown a beard out of base motivations.

The same problem arises when giving bearded men extra points for trustworthiness. Whether this reflects some deeper reality is open to question (I don;t doubt it, myself), but to talk about it, to analyze it and throw it out there as a... marketing tool... is just a bit nauseating. In fact, typing the word "marketing" just made me gag a little. A berded jaw must not be allowed to become the next American Flag Lapel Pin.

For instance, Al Gore notoriously grew a beard when he knew he had a real whopper to sell to the carbon-using public. His comical attempt at gravitas was an affront to real beard wearers, and only served to cheapen the brand. Incidentally, does he still have the face coat, or has he shaved, now? Or does he keep his beard in a jar by the door?

"You cannot grow a beard in a moment of passion." - GKC

(A tip of the old fedora to Leaguers Jim Janknegt and Padraic McGrath).

Comments

[Del]

Your last couple of posts have been inspired, Tim! May your beard grow ever longer!

We need to get some local chapters and guest posters going for ya. TLBC is a movement -- not just an entertaining blog!

There is a real need for something like TLBC. A wholesome Catholic life requires some prayer, some service, and some recreation.

The Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic men, devoted primarily to Service. Strong councils do some socializing and praying, too.

And Catholic Men's groups are sprouting everywhere, devoted to deepening the faith and prayer of men. Of course, there's a bit of socializing and perhaps some volunteer service, too.

TLBC fills the gap.... a Catholic men's group dedicated to the joy and fun of being Catholic together, enjoying God's gifts of laughter and beer and tobacco.... and helping out with a bit of prayer and service, whenever suitable.

We need it, Men... Let's DO IT.

[Patrick]

"A tax break for facial hair will only encourage clean shaven men to grow beards and moustaches for all the wrong reasons."

Yes! It is stomach-turning to hear that beard growth, instead of being loved for itself, could be within reach of national policy as so much of life is already. Especially stomach-turning coming from a man with such an impressive mustache: geez, man, have a little pride in your independence. "My mustache and I rather don't give a d--- about national approval and won't be subject one way or another to federal policies."

Also: I don't mean to be rude, because I understand how not-serious this all is, but I'd think a law professor could contribute something more to the world than that. Like pro bono work for the indigent or bankrupt. Seriously; state legislatures didn't create a monopoly on legal practice to subsidize this stuff, did they?