[AnalogReigns]

One thing I have to ask myself though, is what's the alternative? Granted taxes are way too high...and government is way, WAY too big--however, taxes, along with death, are always with us.

In terms of what we can say, where we can go, and what religion we can practice--historically, we are more free than at any time on earth. Are we over-taxed and way overly socialistic? Yes, no question. However the logic of the article would say any taxation is slavery--any "witholding of the fruit of your labor" is the same as involuntary servitude. I think such doesn't do justice to the horror of real slavery--and a real lack of freedom.

Ask any immigrant you find from the former (or current) Communist countries if we are free...income tax and all.

[Dead Corpse]

NRST. HR25.

As for the FedGov, it needs to fit back inside its Constitutional shell. Those organisations resisting disbandment should be dealt with severely.

[freeeee]

historically, we are more free than at any time on earth

At the time of this nation's birth, the federal register was a tiny fraction of what it is now. Every year, every level of government passes a slew of new legislation to be piled on the old. That is in addition to 'rugulations' put out by government agencies that carry the full weight of the law. The amount of laws and regulations accumulated over time has become so immense that no single individual could ever keep track of them, even if that was his only purpose.

Also, the budgets and percentage of the GNP used by government has skyrocketed in the last century. This increase in the size of government has allowed a huge apparatus to grow to enforce these increasingly intrusive laws.

Even in my own lifetime I have noticed a very discernable trend away from freedom. Even before 9-11, there was hardly a day that went by that something wasn't banned or regulated. And after 9-11 liberty is in a free fall. It has become such a foreign concept to Americans that people who even speak of it are labeled as crackpots.

[CSM]

"One thing I have to ask myself though, is what's the alternative?"

Good thing our FF weren't asking this question.

"In terms of what we can say, where we can go, and what religion we can practice--historically, we are more free than at any time on earth. Are we over-taxed and way overly socialistic?"

I would contend that prior to LBJ we were a much freer country.

"Yes, no question. However the logic of the article would say any taxation is slavery--any "witholding of the fruit of your labor" is the same as involuntary servitude."

What would you call not being allowed to benefit from your labor? The lack of my being able to choose how to spend half of my earnings equates to me being a slave to the government for half of my time. It is just as evil as what you would consider legitimate slavery. The whip may have been used previously, now we are forced to be slaves by the barrell of a gun. Just try not making those tax payments!

"Ask any immigrant you find from the former (or current) Communist countries if we are free...income tax and all."

I have and many of them feel we are in the pot and the water is getting warm. They see the social programs and fed involvement as the socialism that it is!

[Texas Federalist]

However the logic of the article would say any taxation is slavery--any "witholding of the fruit of your labor" is the same as involuntary servitude.

The logic is that income taxes are involuntary servitude - an idea that the Founders shared. Sales taxes or excise taxes were preferred because they could be avoided by simply saving your money. Also, sales taxes have a built in limiting mechanism because when they exceed 10%, revenues tend to decrease as black markets open and people find other ways to avoid the tax.

[af_vet_rr]

In terms of what we can say, where we can go, and what religion we can practice--historically, we are more free than at any time on earth.

This was true a hundred years ago, but that is rapidly changing. You have to watch what you say and write these days in some instances, and where you go, at least certain means of transportation can be be refused to you, or your at the mercy of somebody who might have been flipping burgers a week ago.

As far as religion, probably as free as 100 years ago, but anytime the government gets involved with religion, the faith based initiatives, etc. or the reverse - when people try to mingle their religious beliefs with the government, I get very worried. Quite a few people came to this country several centuries ago to get away from religion/government intermingling.

I've been to New Zealand, and other than their gun laws and some of their pseudo-libertarian beliefs it's a great country. I shouldn't complain about them, I guess it's better to have too much freedom than not enough.