Posted on 07/17/2007 6:18:52 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
PROTESTING THE IRAQ WAR BY NOT PAYING FOR IT
The Osgood File.
This is Dave Ross. On the CBS Radio Network.
David Gross of San Francisco was tired of seeing his taxes used to pay for the war in Iraq:
"My Conscience was really eating at me." said David Gross, war protestor.
So he stopped paying his income taxes. Legally.
David Gross is a writer of tech manuals who has been resisting taxes since the 2003 invasion of Iraq:
"I couldn't look myself in the mirror anymore. I couldn't stand the idea that my money was going to pay for this," said Gross.
The trouble was that since he made 100,000 a year, he owed plenty of federal tax.
"So I want into my HR department and I said well you know would it be possible for you to cut my pay significantly if that's what it takes. And they hemmed and hawed for a bit. It was a request that they weren't used to getting," said Gross.
They finally said no, for fear the IRS would come sniffing around.
So he quit, went freelance, and deliberately limits his income to $30,000 a year:
"I work maybe four months out of the year. And that's enough to bring in the 30-thousand and the rest of the time, that's my sabbatical." said Gross.
And it turns out 30,000 puts him just under the tax line:
"Now I don't have all of that to spend. Because in order to get under the tax line I have to put some of it into an IRA and some of it into a 401K, some into a health savings account. So I end up with about half of that that I can live on over the course of a year. But that's still enough for me to live very comfortably in San Francisco," said Gross.
And he doesn't even have to camp in a median. He shares a comfortable apartment with his girlfriend.
All of it legal - almost:
"I don't owe any income tax. There's still the self-employment tax." said Gross.
Which he has decided just not to pay:
"I get some boilerplate letters from the IRS every few months," said Gross.
They make nice fire starters.
And he says any war protestor who is truly serious - will do the same thing:
"Not make war protest a hobby or something they do on weekends or do for marches, but actually live their lives a hundred per cent according to their principles. We'll start seeing some change," said Gross.
The Osgood File. This is Dave Ross. On the CBS Radio Network
The Osgood File. July 13, 2007
Hey! If I can’t overthrow them, I’m going to cut off the blood supply (money) to the tumor that is Big Government, LOL!
Y’all come! :)
We split expenses 50/50, though I admit he does more housework than I do.
Yep, over $1T easily cut from that list where the entire line should be stricken.
But that list is deceptive. There is plenty to be cut even in Departments and Agencies I’d keep. There are welfare-type programs littered throughout Departments you’d never expect.
Where do you live?
San Francisco.
Just for clarification. Are you the girlfriend in this piece? If you are then you are being used. If not, you are still being used. Either way, it’s your life. I wouldn’t put up with it. My guy would be my partner and best friend. And I don’t think that is the way a partner or best friend acts.
Yes, I am. I do not understand why you think I am being used. The only reason I can think of is that you think he’s mooching off of me, but he is not. That is why I even replied here—the way his remarks in the interview were edited led to the impression that he was living off of my income, but that is in no way true, and I wanted to make that clear.
As I said, we split expenses 50/50. He pays half of our rent, half of our bills, half of our food expenses, half of our miscellaneous household supplies.
But there’s more to sharing a home than money. He probably does more of the household chores than I do, since he has more time at home. He does almost all of our cooking; he’s a damn fine cook, and he loves to cook for me. Personally, I think I’m the one making out like a bandit here.
If you think I’m being used, I suppose you’re entitled to your opinion. I hope you will pardon me if I respectfully disagree.
Thank you for taking the time to reply, and in such a nice way.
You state that when the interview was edited it led to the impression that he was living off my income. Glad you cleared it up. But I’d love to know how he can live on such a small income here in California, while paying for his share of the responsiblities (rent, utilities, food, household, etc.), and saving money.
It is true that there is more to sharing a home than money. However, it can be stated that there is more to being a citizen of a society than just the title. Also, your taxes go not just for the war, but for other programs that I’m sure your boyfriend would be more amiable to. So by not doing his part he doesn’t help society.
Since he dislikes the war, I’d like to know if it is all wars or just this one? Does he know that his taxes could help bring medical aid to Iraqis? That’s one of the services our military does. His taxes could help refurbish and/or build schools. He could help Iraqis and Afghanis get clean water and electricity. Help Iraqis stand up to murderous thugs that are Al Qaeda, like they are doing now. So don’t think that it is all bombs and weapons. It’s rebuilding two countries that were ravished by evil regimes.
Good luck!
Oneamericanvoice
former liberal
He would rather all the funds go towards sex changes.
It's all about the queers!
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