[Citizen Tom Paine]

I tend to think that we are serfs. Consider land ownership: The state (broadly defined) here the county can take "your" land and sell it if you don't pay taxes. In England, there were freemen who had performed a service for the King and had received land that could not be taken from them.

Consider a serf: He worked the land. The Lord each year could say how much of the produce of the serf's land that he would take. Now think about our tax system. My assessment has just gone up. The Lord (the County in this case) has just said how many of my dollars (which are limited) that they will take this year.

Take a look at how serfs (who worked the land) were treated in the Ottoman Empire for an eye opener.

There is physical property that one can own in the United States, but don't pay the taxes on your real estate (for whatever reason say an extended hospital stay) and see how long you "own" it. Incidentally, there is no requirement in some state that the Post Office forward your tax notices.

[raybbr]

Incidentally, there is no requirement in some state that the Post Office forward your tax notices.

More than likely it's not the P.O. that does not forward the document. That is the prerogative of the sender. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all may is forwarded if you set it up that way.

[neutrino]

For a "poor old sailor", as your tag indicates, you certainly have some keen insights! Good points, all.

[Lokibob]

I have long thought that we citizens do not own our land, we only have possession of it from the government.

In serf days, the serf lived and worked on the land if the king approved. Today, we live in our homes only to the approval level of the government.

In serf days, the king set agricultural levels. Today, ever hear agricultural subsidies.

In surf days, the king had to approve all things done to the land. Today, you need a building permit (and pay the fees) before you improve your land.

And of course, the taxes, as you said.