I WILL NOT PAY (Vanity)

Self | 06/29/2012 | Turbo Pig

[Turbo Pig]

This is a personal declaration, which I wish to make in front of Free Republic, and anyone who comes across it.

As a whole, the ACA (aka ObamaCare) is bad law; in that through it the government is over stepping its bounds and is becoming more overly intrusive in the daily lives of Americans. The mandate, now tax, is especially onerous, because it penalizes American citizens for non activity. With the Supreme Court ruling on June 28th, 2012, the government now has precedent to try and force Americans, who are literally doing nothing into activity, through the threat of a punitive tax. Not only is that unconstitutional, despite what 5 of the 9 Supreme Court Judges have said, it is immoral and oppressive.

I current hold a job that provides me with excellent health insurance. I am stating here, though, that should I ever be placed in a situation where I am taxed for non activity, either by not having health insurance, or anything else the government tries to force me to buy, or do…I Will Not Pay.

It’s easy to hide behind the anonymity of the internet; using a pseudonym, ensconced behind a keyboard. So, my name is Garren Allard, and I live in Pleasant Hill, MO, and …I Will Not Pay.

All I want from my government is for it to uphold the Constitution and to leave me alone. Making this declaration scares me, because it potentially places myself, and more importantly my family in the cross hairs of some unelected bureaucrat, should the situation ever arise, because…I Will Not Pay.

I am lazy about my taxes. I have my withholding set so that I get a refund every year. Should I ever be in a position where the government tries taxing me for non activity, and I refuse to pay, it will simply steal the money it owes me. To that end, I am changing my withholding so that I have to write a check at the end of the year, because…I Will Not Pay.

Daily we see our elected officials say one thing and do another. We see people make well meaning and supposedly heartfelt declarations of their intents, only to back away from their convictions once the reality of their actions set in. I have given this much thought. Our fore fathers, the men who founded our great nation, and many brave souls since, came face to face with the consequences of their convictions. Many of them paid dearly, even unto death. If it comes down to a choice between backing away from my conviction in this matter, or facing the consequences, no matter how harsh the consequences may be…I Will Not Pay.

A man is only as good as his word. It is truly the only thing he owns that is 100% his; no mortal man can take it away from him. How he pledges it and how he keeps it tells all there is about the man. I swear on my solemn word, before God, my family and my fellow free citizens that…I WILL NOT PAY

.

[no-to-illegals]

Has anyone noticed the increases in the penalty tax for not having health-care? First year (2014) nearly three hundred dollars. Second year (2015) nearly one thousand dollars. Third year (2016) two thousand dollars plus. Am certain the increases in the penalty tax for not having health-care insurance goes higher with each successive year. Think of all the new government employees this adds. Smaller government? Forget about it!

There have been waivers granted. Many people and companies have been gifted an opt-out. Think how many more employees, at the federal level, this will require. Yes, the private sector is doing fine. Methinks, doing fine has been redefined in D.C.

On a personal note Turbo Pig, methinks you did excellent in putting forth this vanity.

[4yearlurker]

I live in the Mon Valley in SW Pennsylvania. You make a good point about taxation throughout America’s history. The farmers were tar and feathering tax collectors. Washington had enough and rode at the head of a militia to end the rebellion. Upon hearing about Washington coming the angry farmers just went home and in the end had to pay the tax.

[driftdiver]

That is the way they will force employers to drop coverage. Which in turn will force individuals onto the govt plan.

We cannot avoid paying the penalty or buying qualifying insurance.

On the Bill Bennet radio show this morning they had a MD call in. Apparently there are groups of MDs and other providers looking into going completely private. The Govt is forcing this onto the providers through their medicare payments. If they do not accept govt payments then they can exist outside the obamacare program.

[dalebert]

well let them get my “will not work “ daughter to pay..I would like to see them do it.

[Eye of Unk]

I’ll donate a Cat D10 to break down the prison walls and help him escape.

And others.

[ladyrustic]

Good on you.

But what we need to show how angry we are is a general strike by the people who work in this country. Pick a week, and have every conservative in the country go on strike and not work for those 7 days.

This would be something that millions of conservatives could do to show their anger and SOLIDARITY! Shut down the works for a whole week. Call it Galt Lite, if you will.

[driftdiver]

BTW, it sounds like you have one of those Cadillac plans. I think there are special penalties for 1%’ers like you.

[ctdonath2]

I current hold a job that provides me with excellent health insurance.

So, for now, it's a moot issue. You have gov't-approved insurance, you don't have to pay the penalty-tax, no problem. Lots of bluster over nothing.

And that's what's gonna re-elect the Obama. The Right will get all frothing-at-the-mouth over an issue which, on the whole, has negligible practical impact on most voters. Taking their eyes off the REAL issue - economy - Romney et al will now go chasing after a red herring, annoy the "undecideds", and leave the Obama room to convince the confused middle that "things have been tough, yes, but do you _really_ want those crazies running things? no."

You posted an eloquent declaration of standing against ... something that will not affect you. Um...ok...but what about the economy?

[Windflier]

when our country was young George Washington imposed the Whiskey Tax. Many also would not pay. Washington called in the military and they were shot.

So what are you suggesting, Ken? Roll over and pay the tyrants?

[Turbo Pig]

@Boogieman - If I lose my health coverage through work, I will go get another policy of my choosing. If there is none for my choosing, then I not purchase insurance and do everything via cash, to the best of my abilities.

@t1b8zs - I am not PO’ed about this. In fact, I am extremely sad that our once great nation has now been made a nation of slaves; even if it doesn’t realize it at the moment. I cried when I realized what I must do. Stating my name and location openly on the net is an extreme action, and possibly opens me up to a number of bad situations. Most notably, it gives those who would take our freedom away a name and location of a dissenter. I am under no illusion that there is currently some monitor searching the net for dissent and that I am important enough to warrant his attention. If the government does have some one doing that, I am sure his reaction is, “Yeah, right (snicker)”. I do understand that there may liberals who stumble across my info that may attempt malicious acts, so be it. I can take the worst they can throw at me. As far as IT security goes; I am insulated against your run of the mill script kiddy, it’s my job.

As to why I did it, it’s more to hold myself accountable than anything else. There is no hiding, now. No longer can I make a statement of my intent and be shielded by the anonymity of the web. If I break my convictions, then there is no hiding from it. If other people want to follow my lead, that’s their decision. All I am asking is that if they are in the same frame of mind that they make a similar declaration, openly and unabashedly some place, to as many people as possible. I actually was on the local radio this morning and stated my intent to all of Kansas City in the same manner.

@IC Ken - I took an oath many years ago to defend the Constitution, no matter what. I was not released from that oath upon discharge. I’ve neglected my responsibilities, by being hap hazard and lazy, for too long. What ever the consequences I must now stand by my convictions.

@Mich Patriot - If I lose my coverage at my present job, then I have no reason to stay here. If I am true to my convictions, then I will make what ever sacrifices needed to stand by them; hence the apology to my family.

@plain talk -By whatever means necessary.

@Everyone - Thank you for being engaged.

[Turbo Pig]

You posted an eloquent declaration of standing against ... something that will not affect you.

You are correct, at the moment. Eventually, though everyone will be faced with the same choice; that's the way the law is written. Eventually private insurers will be forced out of business, and the only option will be government insurance.

I am getting out out front of it, and openly stating my stance so that when the time comes to put up or shut up I will have to look back at what I wrote and find the measure of the man I am.

It scares me, because it's easy to have the conviction from the comfort of my current situation. I am not going to apologies for having a job that provides me with great coverage; either. It's a hospital and for being a run of the mill job, it provide the best benefits I've ever had.

I won't truly know what type of man I have become until I stand at that bridge and decide to cross the Rubicon or truly become a slave.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

I understand your frustrations. But if such a situation occurs and somehow this law stands and the penalty becomes just another tax then you WILL pay. You would lose to the IRS and they WILL win. They have unlimited resources.

---

Are we so easily coerced in this land of sheep. We may be reaching the time when as Henry David Thoreau put it the only place for an honest man is in jail.

[Turbo Pig]

I hope you are not missing the HUGE factor that differentiates the Whiskey Rebellion from what is happening now.

The Whiskey tax was levied on the sale of whiskey by Congress. The distillers were being taxed for partaking in an activity that they willingly agreed to partake in. Their grievances, founded or not, were centered on an activity that the freely chose to engage in.

The obamatax creates an activity (mandatory purchase of health insurance) that a free citizen of the United states may, or may not want to partake in. It then goes on to penalizes those who decide they do not want to partake in this government mandated activity.

[Boogieman]

I applaud your stand for civil disobedience, and if I’m put in the same position, I hope I will have the nerve to join you. I’d rather not make that promise now, since I won’t know if I can cross that bridge until I get there, and I’d rather not make myself a liar if I cannot bring myself to do it.

[Thank You Rush]

“”I current hold a job that provides me with excellent health insurance.””

“So, for now, it’s a moot issue.”

No, it’s not moot unless he has a guarantee from his employer that they will ALWAYS provide health insurance coverage for their employees. Who believes that is going to happen? What is an employer going to choose? Paying thousands of dollars per year in premiums for coverage or a fine?

[ctdonath2]

Don't get me wrong: I agree with your sentiment, and if not for an immediate ongoing need for health insurance (I'm a cyborg at this point) would consider the same path.

Just noting that the sentiment is a down-the-road stand, not an immediate one ... and that fixating on such (albeit realistic) hypothetical, we lose sight of the immediate problem and solutions thereto.

[panaxanax]

“My income is from dividends, bonds and investments.”

No problem for the IRS to seize your assets. Especially now that we (the people) allowed them to have heavily armed SWAT TEAMS!

Go Galt. Cash in your Bonds, etc. and head for the hills with your cash, gold, silver, guns and ammo. They’ll find you eventually and you’ll most likely be ‘eliminated’. At least you’ll go down fighting instead of kissing their asses.

[cableguymn]

To keep the BEST employees..

In this labor market employees are not hard to find. People are applying for any job they are qualified for now. I suspect most are more worried about a pay check, then health insurance.

[John Leland 1789]

"Has anyone noticed the increases in the penalty tax for not having health-care? First year (2014) nearly three hundred dollars. Second year (2015) nearly one thousand dollars. Third year (2016) two thousand dollars plus. Am certain the increases in the penalty tax for not having health-care insurance goes higher with each successive year. Think of all the new government employees this adds. Smaller government? Forget about it!"

Since yesterday I have heard three different sets of figures on this which vary significantly.

Just this morning, a libertarian talk show host in Louisville said: First year, $95.00 ; Second year, a $350.00 ; Third year, almost $700.00.

So, I'm taking a trip to my Congressman's office for the details.

[John Leland 1789]

It is reported that all enforcement mechanisms for enforcing penalties were stripped from the law.

This morning over WHAS, Louisville, it was reported that the IRS can keep stacking up the penalties forever if someone doesn't pay, but they have no way to ever go after it : for these penalties, can't attach accounts, can't take your house, etc.

This is reported.