Posted on 05/26/2007 12:21:03 PM PDT by The_Eaglet
Could America exist without an income tax? The idea seems radical, yet in truth America did just fine without a federal income tax for the first 126 years of its history. Prior to 1913, the government operated with revenues raised through tariffs, excise taxes, and property taxes, without ever touching a worker's paycheck. In the late 1800s, when Congress first attempted to impose an income tax, the notion of taxing a citizen's hard work was considered radical! Public outcry ensued; more importantly, the Supreme Court ruled the income tax unconstitutional. Only with passage of the 16th Amendment did Congress gain the ability to tax the productive endeavors of its citizens.
Yet don't we need an income tax to fund the important functions of the federal government? You may be surprised to know that the income tax accounts for only approximately one-third of federal revenue. Only 10 years ago, the federal budget was roughly one-third less than it is today. Surely we could find ways to cut spending back to 1990 levels, especially when the Treasury has single year tax surpluses for the past several years. So perhaps the idea of an America without an income tax is not so radical after all.
The harmful effects of the income tax are obvious. First and foremost, it has enabled government to expand far beyond its proper constitutional limits, regulating virtually every aspect of our lives. It has given government a claim on our lives and work, destroying our privacy in the process. It takes billions of dollars out of the legitimate private economy, with most Americans giving more than a third of everything they make to the federal government. This economic drain destroys jobs and penalizes productive behavior. The ridiculous complexity of the tax laws makes compliance a nightmare for both individuals and businesses. All things considered, our Founders would be dismayed by the income tax mess and the tragic loss of liberty which results.
America without an income tax would be far more prosperous and far more free, but we must be prepared to fight to regain the liberty we have lost incrementally over the past century. I recently introduced "The Liberty Amendment," legislation which would repeal the 16th Amendment and effectively abolish the income tax. I truly believe that real tax reform, reform that so many frustrated Americans desperately want, requires bold legislation that challenges the Washington mind set. Congress talks about reform, but the current tax debate really involves nothing of substance. Both parties are content to continue tinkering with the edges of the tax code to please various special interests. The Liberty Amendment is an attempt to eliminate the system altogether, forcing Congress to find a simple and fair way to collect limited federal revenues. Most of all, the Liberty Amendment is an initiative aimed at reducing the size and scope of the federal government.
Is it impossible to end the income tax? I don't believe so. In fact, I believe a serious groundswell movement of disaffected taxpayers is growing in this country. Millions of Americans are fed up with the current tax system, and they will bring pressure on Congress. Some sidestep Congress completely, bringing legal challenges questioning the validity of the tax code and the 16th Amendment itself. Ultimately, the Liberty Amendment could serve as a flashpoint for these millions of voices.
A Ron Paul end the income tax bump. Amend the Constitution and repeal the 16th amendment.
Dreaming? Hardly!
“First and foremost, it has enabled government to expand far beyond its proper constitutional limits, regulating virtually every aspect of our lives.”
Which is exactly why we’ll never be relieved of the income tax. The purpose is not, nor has it ever been, revenue collection — it’s a mechanism to facilitate control of the population by Government.
It’s just another example of the people getting the Government they deserve.
And while the amendment process is going on, remove personal income taxation from the revenue code anyway.
It is impossible to file a tax return without being a witness against yourself.
FMCDH(BITS)
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But this can’t be. Paul’s a kook! So ending the income tax is kooky too. < /Paul bashers >
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The Feds tax just about everything else. One slight increase in the gas tax would net billions and killing the income tax would offset the cost of fuel going up. This is true for the alcohol, tobacco and the hundreds of hidden taxes they have going, an slight increase would easily offset the income tax. That is one reason I totally object to the FairTax. It is a stupid proposal.
The 16th Amendment wrote a piece of Communism into the Constitution. The economy would benefit greatly by repealing the 16th Amendment. The American People should be working to better themselves, not to pay off the IRS.
“Which is exactly why we’ll never be relieved of the income tax. The purpose is not, nor has it ever been, revenue collection — it’s a mechanism to facilitate control of the population by Government.”
That’s a good point. The government doesn’t have any trouble finding people who don’t mind putting the boot on their fellow citizens neck either.
Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
By removing the tax burden from income and adding the same aggregate amount to prices, do you see an advantage?
Bermuda does.
And Panama exists without a Central Bank.
We did until enough presidents stacked the courts with "progressives" to make the permanent income tax Constitutional.
I think the better question is, "Can America exist WITH an income tax?"
I think the income tax and everything that goes along with it has been and is destroying the America the founders left us, and is ushering the America the NWO globalists, the one world government types, would have it be.
Lets look at it this way. If the income tax is repealed, where are the corporate taxes? Gone. And if the income tax is repealed, then those that pay income tax would have this burden removed along with the IRS. It would be better to work with what is in place to estimate if all taxes the Federal Government levies could offset the income tax. Maybe this would be too simple.
One major exception. The nrst makes these taxes visible, printed on every receipt.
I like it.
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