The United States of America began as a British colony, and still could be part of the British Commonwealth today if not for a serious flaw in the tax structure between the Colonists and the British Parliament. The colonies had no representation in Parliament, and thus no say in the taxes imposed upon them. The term "taxation without representation" came into play during the 1760's, and played a significant contribution to the Declaration of Independence.
Have we gone back to taxation without representation? Ask any resident of Washington D.C. and the answer might be "did we ever leave it?" What about the rest of us? The folks in Washington state, Florida, Nebraska, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii, or any of the other forty-four state not yet mentioned? Are US citizens in these states now being taxed without proper taxation? The author of this blog believes so.
Dear reader, I personally believe I am taxed without representation. My tax dollars go to the federal government, and from there are to be spent wisely by my elected representatives in the House and Senate. According to the War Resisters League [www.warresisters.org], 51% (or $1,228 billion) of our federal funds go toward current and past military expenses, including the so-called "war on terror."
Hey, this ain't my war, and it sure ain't how I want my hard-earned money to be spent. I want my tax dollars to be spent on education and healthcare. I want my tax dollars to provide homes for those less fortunate. I want my tax dollars to help bridge the gap between the wealthy elite and the poorest among us. I want my representatives to enact laws to curb corporate rights and defend the environment. I want my representatives to act on the issues I feel are most important, not spend my money foolishly on the wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place.
Perhaps I am at fault. When I was a resident of Nebraska, I wrote the occasional letter to my congressmen when an issue arose. I'm sad to report that I have not yet written my representatives since I moved to Illinois last summer. My goal for the next week is to change that. I plan to find out who my national and state level representatives are, and to write each of them a heartfelt letter stating in no uncertain terms exactly how I'd like to tax dollars to be spent. The cynic in me expects the usual canned, stamped-signature response with no change in our government's laws or spending. That means less civil liberties, more social welfare for wealthy corporations, and continued support for war and torture. But the helpless dreamer in me (which only makes rare appearances) hopes to receive a personally written and signed reply, and maybe – just maybe – a change in direction for the county which I am a citizen of.
For those few of you who have taken the time to read this far, thank you for your valuable time and for listening to this one man speak what you may or may not agree with.
73,
William
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2 comments:
You're quite right, they never legally ratified the amendment permitting income tax. Since 1913 we have been hoaxed and bullied.
As you say, it's not your war. Nor mine. I think of it as a citizenship fee, sort of like the exorbitant amount one pays for the privilege of wandering around inside the gates at Disneyworld, where everything else also costs way too much but it's so HAPPY. Ahem.
Anyway, vote for Ron Paul and he'll remove this burden from us by doing away with the Federal Reserve and its usury.
--Gene Stewart
Oh no...Christian libertarianism? Dear God. ;-)
It's an interesting thought, William. It truly is. Let me chew on it for a bit.
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