As we are approaching tax time yet again and people all over the country are frantically working to get their receipts in order, apply for every little tax credit they can find and compile their returns, I can’t help but think “render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Now don’t going running scared, this isn’t me preaching about tithing, rather explaining that I’m fully willing (ok, maybe only partially willing) to pay my taxes for the privilege of calling myself an American and all the opportunities that come with that title. What I’m not willing to do is to continue watching the government piss our hard earned dollars away!
Property tax, sales tax, excise tax, fuel tax, sin tax… All of these are based on what you buy (a direct reflection on what you make). In 1862, Congress enacted the nation’s first income tax law in order to support the Civil War effort. In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution made the income tax a permanent fixture in the U.S. tax system. The amendment gave Congress legal authority to tax income on both individuals and corporations. Support from the public was based on the idea that only the very wealthy would be affected. Unfortunately, the government (republican or democrat, local or federal) is insatiable and it’s not just the wealthy that feel the sting. I look at it this way, if you tax the rich at a rate at a rate of 35%, what incentive do people have to strive for excellence and pursue the American dream? If you tax the poor they just become poorer. If you tax the middle-class, you essentially thwart their ability to achieve.
I strongly believe that regardless of political views, we have to demand that our government stop spending, quit borrowing and put an end to increased taxes. I, for one, will not vote ‘yes’ on any tax increase until the government can prove itself fiscally responsible. Here’s what I don’t understand, in Hawaii they have furloughed the teachers and therefore have no school on Fridays but there is a beautiful repaving and highway widening project underway. Our children will be stupid but our shocks will last a few months longer. In Washington, state congress approved an income tax on top of the 10% sales tax in an effort to pay down the tremendous deficit. Interestingly, the city I live in is constructing a beautiful new city center and road expansion. Don’t even get me started on California!
Here’s the thing – the U.S. is sliding downward and one thing we can all agree upon, regardless of political affiliation, is the need to come together, make our citizens stronger and demand our government act responsibly. We need to encourage innovation, allowing Americans, regardless of color or creed, to pursue all those things that make America so amazing. Increasing taxes instead of requiring fiscal responsibilities makes us nothing more than sheep being lead to the slaughter.
