Your Friendly Neighborhood Gov't ShakeDOWN

Feed Your ADHD ^ | 11/9/2008 | Dr. Dave

[bloodmeridian]

If Death and Taxes are avoidable in this life, then I’m a Democrat who voted for King Showbama. I think my record on this subject is pretty clear.

Oh, I’m gonna die, of that I have no doubt…unless my wife wants to pay for cryogenic freezing, but first I’d have to move to Freakifornia. And I refuse to even step foot in Freakifornia.

When I go, it’s the dirt nap for me, or with the fishes, depending on who gets to me first.

So that leaves taxes. Do I have to pay? The 16th Amendment says so…or does it?

[bloodmeridian]

I got your tax cut right here, Showbama.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Whether true or not, the jails are full of people who follow this advice.

[Babu]

It doesn’t matter a whit if income taxes are ‘unconstitutional’ or not. If you think the goobermint is going to let you set a precedent and stop paying income taxes, you will have lots of time to do legal research in your jail cell.

[bloodmeridian]

Hmm...I was not aware that the mere posting of facts (and making fun of the government) constituted advice, unless, of course, you truly are a mind-numbed robot.

[bloodmeridian]

I was not aware the mere posting of facts (and making fun of government) constituted my trying to set precedent. You do know how to read, then, don’t you?

[philman_36]

I know it's hard to understand (/sarcasm), but this is what the Constitution says about taxes...
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

Hylton v. United States
...from Smith's Wealth of Nations. (1776)
"The impossibility of taxing people in proportion to their revenue, by any capitation, seems to have given occasion to the invention of taxes upon consumable commodities; the state, not knowing how to tax directly and proportionably the revenue of its subjects, endeavors to tax it indirectly, by taxing their expense, which it is supposed, in most cases, will be nearly in proportion to their revenue. Their expense is taxed, by taxing the consumable commodities upon which it is laid out." 3 Vol. page 331.

"Consumable commodities, whether necessaries or luxuries, may be taxed in two different ways; the consumer may either pay an annual sum, on account of his using or consuming goods of a certain kind, or the goods may be taxed, while they remain in the hands of the dealer, and before they are delivered to the consumer. The consumable goods, which last a considerable time before they are consumed altogether, are most properly taxed in the one way; those of which the consumption is immediate, or more speedy, in the other: the coach-tax and plate-tax are examples of the former method of imposing; the greater part of the other duties of excise and customs of the latter." 3 Vol. page 341.

[bloodmeridian]

Interesting...I wasn’t aware your labor was a commodity. A commodity is any good or service produced by human labor and offered as a product for general sale on the market. That does NOT make your labor a commodity...that is slavery. So are you saying your labor is bought and sold? Does that make you a slave?

Do paying taxes not make you a slave?

Also...I know it’s hard to understand, but I’m not “advocating.” I’m merely making fun...

BTW...since when did FR get populated with so many sheeple?

[bloodmeridian]

Also, your reference speaks of taxing the commodities made by the fruits of labor...that would be called a consumption tax, as in a fuel tax, a sales tax, etc.

Does the definition of “income” now, in your logic, become “goods”? Where in my original post did you see that I said this was foolish (or anything SO foolish)?

[Babu]

I can read just fine, rudeboy.

[bloodmeridian]

Ah, you must be a CEO...or a lawyer...

Yes, your graciousness...whatever you say....

(See, no sarcasm tags needed...)

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Hmm...I was not aware that the mere posting of facts (and making fun of the government) constituted advice, unless, of course, you truly are a mind-numbed robot

Rest assured, I am truly a Mind-numbed Robot! However, I am curious as to why you posted this "advice/"

[philman_36]

I wasn’t aware your labor was a commodity.
Is the following from Wealth of Nations..."The exchange value of a commodity is equal to the amount of labor that it can "purchase or command."..what you're talking about?

A commodity is any good or service produced by human labor and offered as a product for general sale on the market.
From whence comes your definition?

Do paying taxes not make you a slave?
Not, IMO, if the taxes levied are proper. Unfortunately, taxes are a necessity for the function of government. IMO improper taxation isn't good governance nor does it lead to good governments.
And as I've said before...Personally I believe we are tax slaves and probably will be for the rest of our lives, no matter who the POTUS is and as long as the 16th Amendment stands.
I've got plenty of problems with the way the tax system is now so you can get off of your condescending attitude with me.
BTW...since when did FR get populated with so many sheeple?
Know what I mean?

Also, your reference speaks of taxing the commodities made by the fruits of labor...
You're going to have to cut and paste what you're talking about 'cause I have no idea what you're talking about.

[philman_36]

The gist of my original reply was that, IMO and according to my understanding of the intent of the FF, goods were the only things that were to be taxed, not one's labor. The things purchased from one's labor should be the objects of taxation so that a person could pay as little tax as they chose simply by not purchasing highly taxed items.
I smoke...taxed! I drink alcohol...taxed! I purchase firearms...taxed! (think BATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms])
I could simply avoid those taxes by not participating in those activities.
And speaking of "logic", by the twisted logic of today's world I do more to pay my "fair share" of taxes because of my personal activities.
Again, IMO, duties, imposts and excises are taxes levied upon goods and only upon goods!
I'm sorry that you didn't get that, but that's not my problem.

[philman_36]

An aside...
Interesting...I wasn’t aware your labor was a commodity. A commodity is any good or service produced by human labor and offered as a product for general sale on the market. That does NOT make your labor a commodity...that is slavery
One last thing, in case you don't give a reference for your definition...
That isn't slavery, it's Marxism...Commodity (Marxism)
The very first sentence!
In classical political economy and especially Karl Marx's critique of political economy, a commodity is any good or service produced by human labour and offered as a product for general sale on the market.

But you're so astute that you believe me to be a proponent of Marxism.