Reflections on French Politics and Economy

Although I had eternally regarded the study of law with disdain, I found an interest in something aside from my passion for chemistry and science - politics. It was only a trivial interest, nothing like my devotion for the sciences, and yet I decided to pursue this area of interest. Therefore, I joined the Ferme Générale, a private tax farming company, in the hopes of making a contribution to my dear country and to help solve the economic problems that have so harmfully affected France. This is also the connection through which I had initially met my dear wife, Marie-Anne Pierette Paulze, now Madame Lavoisier. Previously, I was only a tax collector, yet I have recently become the administrator for the Ferme. I will attempt to introduce systems more fitting and just. In my previous observations, I have recognized that peasants suffer from hunger, hardship, and inequality. While we nobles, who are most liable and able to pay the required tax, are exempt from taxation the peasants, with no money to even feed their family, must surrender a majority of their earnings to different outlets. Although from a personal standpoint I am grateful for not having to pay tax, I also feel that as prominent and important members of society, we should all contribute to our state and its cause and wellbeing as much as we can. Therefore, I will attempt to introduce reforms in our current monetary and taxation system to prevent unfair toll on peasants (in order to lighten their load and make for a more logical and effective system of taxation) and to promote equality between all citizens, in order to ensure that our taxing system is efficient and effective, unlike our current one. To those who scorn such a reform in the fear that their privileged position is threatened, I will remind you of the current state that France is in, and hope that the kind-hearted citizens of France will agree with me in saying that contribution to the greater will and "bigger picture" is more necessary than that of our own selfish needs.