Unfortunately without taxation then there will be none of the facilities such as road maintenance, a standing army etc. which people desire. It is either have taxation and facilities or have none and have none.
I’d hardly say taxation was the sole, or even primary, cause of the Revolutionary War. I seem to recall reading an old essay or something that enumerated all the reasons behind the colonists’ revolt. Hmmm, now let me think … where did I read that? …
When most people think of the Declaration of Independence, all they think about is the parts that say things like “…all men are created equal…” and “…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”.
But all that is just a prologue to the real substance of the Declaration, which are the twenty-five specific grievances against the governance of George III. Of these twenty-five grievances, fourteen dealt with the colonies’ right to self determination and governance; eight dealt with military interference in the affairs of the colonies; one dealt with restrictions on immigration and territorial expansion (yes, the DoI supported open borders and unrestricted immigration); one dealt with trade. That leaves just one more provision, which I quote here: “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:”. If taxes were so important, why does the word “taxes” only appear once in the entire Declaration?
The truth is that the colonists didn’t mind paying taxes, provided that taxation was fair and allowed them to determine their own governance. What they primarily objected to in matters of taxation was the proliferation of loopholes for the king’s cronies and business associates (sound familiar?) and that they were fairly levied and not punitive.
The notion that the American Revolution was primarily a fight against taxes is not a “great American story”, it’s a great American myth, perpetuated by people who have never read more than the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence.
In the interests of full disclosure, the principal author of the DoI id my many-times-great uncle. I am a direct descendant of one of his sisters.
runar did a great job above describing the reality.
without representation are the key words when one discusses “no taxation without representation”.
Anyone who wants to try living without taxes should try living in Somalia for a while. (not recommended)
While it is known that there certainly were some people who thought that they were fighting to not have any taxes my hope is that most were paying better attention with more observant interpretations of decently complete information, but perhaps then as now there were people who got caught up in soundbites rather than in content.
Ah, but we had income taxes imposed on us to finance the Great War that began in 1914. And someday, when the Kaiser and pointy hatted minions are defeated, we can bring the boys home from the trenches and end that bleepin’ tax.
Bilan over 5 years ago
But don’t forget that we no longer have taxation without …
Er, wait a second.
Mungolikecookies over 5 years ago
Unfortunately without taxation then there will be none of the facilities such as road maintenance, a standing army etc. which people desire. It is either have taxation and facilities or have none and have none.
The Reader Premium Member over 5 years ago
Too right!
Say What Now‽ Premium Member over 5 years ago
Now they are going to go to Mars to avoid taxes.
cdward over 5 years ago
The point was always the representation. Of course, with gerrymandering, that’s rather suspect.
therese_callahan2002 over 5 years ago
At least he didn’t mention tea tacks like Bugs Bunny did.
Masterskrain over 5 years ago
Almost time for “Revolutionary War 2”.
Loyal, Patriotic Americans vs. The Republican party.Andrew Sleeth over 5 years ago
I’d hardly say taxation was the sole, or even primary, cause of the Revolutionary War. I seem to recall reading an old essay or something that enumerated all the reasons behind the colonists’ revolt. Hmmm, now let me think … where did I read that? …
jrlind55 over 5 years ago
Unfortunately!? He gets his salary from the taxes that feed his secretive agency.
runar over 5 years ago
When most people think of the Declaration of Independence, all they think about is the parts that say things like “…all men are created equal…” and “…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”.
But all that is just a prologue to the real substance of the Declaration, which are the twenty-five specific grievances against the governance of George III. Of these twenty-five grievances, fourteen dealt with the colonies’ right to self determination and governance; eight dealt with military interference in the affairs of the colonies; one dealt with restrictions on immigration and territorial expansion (yes, the DoI supported open borders and unrestricted immigration); one dealt with trade. That leaves just one more provision, which I quote here: “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:”. If taxes were so important, why does the word “taxes” only appear once in the entire Declaration?
The truth is that the colonists didn’t mind paying taxes, provided that taxation was fair and allowed them to determine their own governance. What they primarily objected to in matters of taxation was the proliferation of loopholes for the king’s cronies and business associates (sound familiar?) and that they were fairly levied and not punitive.
The notion that the American Revolution was primarily a fight against taxes is not a “great American story”, it’s a great American myth, perpetuated by people who have never read more than the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence.
In the interests of full disclosure, the principal author of the DoI id my many-times-great uncle. I am a direct descendant of one of his sisters.
JPuzzleWhiz over 5 years ago
Unfortunately, there’s a certain somebody whom I shall not name who’s trying to hijack the holiday and make it all about him…it’s been in the news…
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 5 years ago
runar did a great job above describing the reality.
without representation are the key words when one discusses “no taxation without representation”.
Anyone who wants to try living without taxes should try living in Somalia for a while. (not recommended)
While it is known that there certainly were some people who thought that they were fighting to not have any taxes my hope is that most were paying better attention with more observant interpretations of decently complete information, but perhaps then as now there were people who got caught up in soundbites rather than in content.
wbbh over 5 years ago
Taxation is theft, period.
jvn over 5 years ago
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
WCraft Premium Member over 5 years ago
Do NOT move to Taxinois, they just doubled the state gas tax. Their new motto: Tax and Spend!
Radish... over 5 years ago
Well someone has to pay for the tax breaks for billionaires.
b95954297b48a54fcff8fddbcdef6b2f over 5 years ago
More like a pretzel.
Masterskrain over 5 years ago
Nuke Congress from Orbit. It’s the ONLY way to make sure…
julie.mason1 Premium Member over 5 years ago
And they are honest. Once bought, they stay bought!
Daeder over 5 years ago
The issue of taxes was just a pretense. They called our bluff and offered us representation, which we declined.
syzygy47 over 5 years ago
Ah, but we had income taxes imposed on us to finance the Great War that began in 1914. And someday, when the Kaiser and pointy hatted minions are defeated, we can bring the boys home from the trenches and end that bleepin’ tax.