🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <624@sigma.UUCP> bill@sigma.UUCP (William Swan) writes:
>Silly you, Dan. You say let's get out and vote against these abuses.
>2. Maybe the New World colonists should have tried to work things out within
>   the system 2 centuries ago, too, before running off half-cocked into a
>   revolution. (Or did they?)
Ben Franklin was in King George's court requesting the rights normally
given to Englishmen when the news of the Boston Tea Party was announced.
(Clever timing on the part of the prime minester).  George was about
to grant those rights, when the news changed his mind completely - against
the colonists.  Had the news arrived a little later, we might still be
British subjects today.

Interesting that the basis of the American revolution was the suspension
of rights (required to enforce collection of taxes).

Interesting also that the median tax rate during the revolution was much
lower as a percentage than the median federal income tax rate of 1984.

A New York City resident making $30,000 can pay a tax of over 50% when
Federal, FICA (Not officially a tax, but same effect), State Income, City
Income, Sales (max 7%), Property (Renters pay, but don't get credit), and
Excise tax are all paid.  The employee actually recieves less than 50%
of the actual money spent by the employer on his behalf.  Remember
the employers contribution to FICA, unemployment insurance, workmans
compensation, federally mandated insurances and taxes.

A lottery winner actually won $1 million, and ended up with $20,000
"after taxes".

One invester owned utility has to keep 5 different sets of books to
satisfy federal and state mandated requirements.  Some corporations
spend more on the paperwork of avoiding taxes (deductions), than
their total employee paid income tax.  Many individuals pay more
to their tax accountant than they pay in income tax.

There are two known ways to raise taxes without a congressional vote.
One of those can be done by a person who is not even an elected
official.  The other requires co-operation between non-elected parties.

The group most likely to support "rights" is also the group most likely
to raise taxes.

Is the authority given to the IRS a sign of eroding rights?

Let's put it this way, when a government gets hungry enough, it will
eat anything, including human rights.