[tymesf]

We didn't need any income tax. We didn't have all the military infrastructure. Without the income tax we surely would have lost the arms race with russia.

Also, there is debate over whether the 16th amendment was properly ratified. Even if it wasn't, We need the income tax or something similar to maintain our standing army, navy, and air force, not to mention our nuclear arsenals, government research laboratories, and other sensible interests.

What should not be allowed is income tax (or any other taxation) that is used for funding government raids based on nothing but possession of prohibited objects and free speech. I also don't recall anything in the Constitution giving the government authority to develop systems to pay for other people's retirement or medical bills, but that's just me.

I'd happily pay more taxes than I pay now if it was all necessary for defense spending, legitimate government upkeep, and reasonable research.

[gore3000]

No we do not. The truth of the matter is that the insidious income tax is a mere 40% or so of federal government revenue. We would still have plenty of money left over for our armed fordes and the legitimate tasks of the federal government.