NEW YORK – Today marks day 17 of a hunger strike by tax-activist Bob Schulz whose sole objective is to gain an audience with government officials who can address his arguments that income taxes have no legal basis.
I’m not only concerned about the health of a well-intentioned American citizen who pledges to continue the hunger strike until he gets some answers or dies. I’m even more concerned that our so-called “representative government” steadfastly refuses to be accountable to a citizen who represents far more constituents than Washington probably imagines.
Schulz has submitted a formal remonstrance and five-page cover letter to President Bush at the White House, where he met with staff. Similar materials were provided to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
Schulz, a former radio talk-show host from New York, is founder and chairman of We the People Foundation for Constitutional Education. He wants and deserves to have his compelling arguments addressed. Period. End of story.
Schulz believes earnestly – as do perhaps millions of other Americans – that the federal income tax is unconstitutional and that enforcement of the income tax is illegal. But he is not a “tax protester,” as the Internal Revenue Service likes to dismiss such critics. Bob Schulz pays his taxes – even though he disputes the obligation to do so.
The issues raised by Schulz and others with regard to the illegality of the income tax were dealt with in depth in the April issue of WorldNet magazine. Every American would be well-advised to become familiar with those issues and to demand accountability and answers to the sensible, common-sense questions raised by the critics.
Perhaps if more Americans were asking the same questions, IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti – a Clinton appointee – would do his duty and meet with a national representative of a growing movement to deal with specific and important charges.
As Schulz says, “If they’ve got these answers, then there should be no problem with them discussing this. They should just be able to blow them away.”
By not answering Schulz’s charges, preferably in a public forum and on the record, Rossotti and company only lend credence to the charges that the federal government is running a con game on the American people.
The height of arrogance was displayed by IRS officials when WorldNetDaily sought comment on Schulz’s hunger strike and his allegations. A spokesman, who refused to be identified, indicated the IRS would “probably not” respond.
“IRS doesn’t comment on individual taxpayer matters,” the anonymous spokesman said.
Well, I’ve got news for you. Bob Schulz is not inquiring about an “individual tax matter.” He is raising issues of concern to all Americans – matters of grave public policy.
It’s time for government officials to stop dodging the big issues – pretending they will go away. It’s time for government officials to stop sweeping uncomfortable ideas under the rug. It’s time for government officials – who are supposed to be accountable to the people in a free republic – to meet with constituents, out in the open, in the light of day and deal head-on with controversy.
The IRS hopes people like Bob Schulz will continue to labor in obscurity. The agency and those to whom it reports want to leave well enough alone. Compliance with the income tax is relatively high. They are undoubtedly afraid that more information – more debate – will lead to less compliance.
But assumptions like that are not enough to end America’s experiment in self-government. Effectively, that is what happens when the people – even a minority of people – cannot get the time of day from elected and appointed government officials.
Bob Schulz has lobbied. His organization has demonstrated. The group has organized conferences in Washington and invited officials of the IRS to participate. Why does the IRS continue to bob and weave? Why does the government continue to play games with this issue? Why can’t we the people get some straight answers?
Related offer:
Americans are challenging the IRS and the 16th Amendment. Find out how with this in-depth WorldNet magazine report, TAX REVOLT!
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Bucky Fox