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April 17, 2009 at 03:51:21

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Promoted to Headline (H3) on 4/17/09:

On Behalf of the Tea Bag Brigades: A Proposal

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By Ernest Partridge (about the author)     Page 1 of 3 page(s)

opednews.com     Permalink

For OpEdNews: Ernest Partridge - Writer

Last Wednesday, in hundreds of "tea party" demonstrations from sea to shining sea, the word was proclaimed: "Taxation (with or without representation) is tyranny!"

The People (well, maybe a small fraction of one percent of them) have spoken and must be heard, however confused and inchoate the message.

And so, in response, I have a simple proposal: let's make all tax payment voluntary.


Grover Norquist of "Americans for Tax Reform" proclaims that he wants to "drown government in the bathtub," by which he must mean abolish government services. What gives government the right, we are often asked, to seize our property through taxation? "It's your money!" Bob Dole shouted. And George Bush repeatedly asked, "who is better qualified to spend your money? You, or the government?" To the libertarian-right, tax payments for any purpose other then the protection of individual rights to life, liberty and property, is theft.  (More on the "qualification" of the government to "spend your money"
here).

No one likes to pay taxes. But for that matter, no one likes to pay the mortgage on one's house, utility bills, or car payments. However, we all understand that if we do not make these payments, we will be evicted from our homes, or the electricity will be shut off, or our cars will be repossessed – and justly so.

So here is my proposal: Make all tax payment voluntary. If all those April 15 "tea party" tax protesters find tax-paying so onerous, then they should be excused from paying taxes.

The only provision is that if they do so, they are no longer entitled to the services that are supported by taxes.

To wit:

**They may no longer use the public highways.

**In case of fire, they can not call the fire department to save their homes.

**In case of home invasion, armed robbery or other criminal threats, they can not call the police for help.

**They can not sue for damages in court. (Judges, bailiffs, court reporters, etc. are on the public payroll).

**They can not hire workers that were educated in public schools or universities.

**They can not use computers (micro-circuitry developed by NASA) or the internet (originated in DARPA, a federal agency).

**They can no longer purchase prescription drugs (certified safe and effective by the FDA).

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http://www.crisispapers.org

Dr. Ernest Partridge is a consultant, writer and lecturer in the field of Environmental Ethics and Public Policy. Partridge has taught philosophy at the University of California, and in Utah, Colorado and Wisconsin. He publishes the website, (more...)
 

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.

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The person who opts out... by John Sanchez Jr. on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 10:42:28 AM
I disagree with you John by Trailing Begonia on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 5:54:32 PM
Misdirected Rage by Tim Fleming on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 1:31:45 PM
homework is due when? by doc on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 4:32:20 PM
"When in the course".... by William Whitten on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 6:41:36 PM
The teabaggers by Trailing Begonia on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 5:51:58 PM
Great idea! Will save me tons of money! by Dee Thomas on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 6:35:35 PM
Idea! by William Whitten on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 11:43:13 PM

 
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