Taxing problem: Getting someone to listen

To hear the government’s Internal Revenue Service tell it, anyone – no matter how cogent their argument – is a lunatic if they are opposed to our current punishing system of taxation.

In fact, the IRS has even gone so far as to produce a 25-page document dismissing all of the most “popular” anti-tax arguments, calling them “frivolous” and, naturally, incorrect.

But as noted tax reform advocates prepare to make their case during an historic meeting with government officials in Washington, D.C. next month – an event WorldNetDaily will attend and report – one thing above all else strikes me regarding this issue of taxation: Our system is simply unfair and unjust and, worse, nobody who can change it is listening.

I know – I haven’t told you anything new. But that’s not the point of making my statement.

Indeed, the point of next month’s hearings may not even be to effect instant changes in the way Americans are taxed. No one seriously believes President Bush will issue an executive order banning the IRS, or that the tax agency will voluntarily stop collecting income taxes, or that Congress will immediately vote to repeal the 16th Amendment, or that the Supreme Court will automatically buy into every so-called “anti-tax” argument presented.

But what this historic event will do is provide much needed high profile attention to an issue that has been overlooked – no, really overlooked – by our leaders (and by we the people) for far too long.

Half of this country has become hooked on “government” money; that is, they receive some kind of stipend provided by some government agency but paid for by working taxpayers. Perhaps that is why it has been so difficult for legitimate tax reformers to make progress on serious reforms; too many legislators are staying in office by promising too many constituents too many taxpayer-funded goodies.

But that’s where the other half of the nation can step in and really make a difference in the future of this nation’s tax system. For one thing, they can step up to the plate and get involved. Voting would be a good start.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know – you’ve heard that one before, too.

But consider that even in last November’s hotly contested presidential contest, still only about 55 percent of eligible voters bothered to cast ballots, according to published figures – a good many of them conservatives who long ago gave up on using the system to effect some changes.

The Bush administration, rightly or wrongly, is basing many of its policies on the fact that Al Gore narrowly won the popular vote. So on most issues, the White House is treading “lightly,” which – in political terms – means “liberally.” It will continue to do so on taxes, too, despite the administration’s recent tax refund legislation.

Yet, this may be unnecessary because anyone who has been paying attention knows that Bush won about 95 percent of the land mass in America; that has to mean that most Americans believed in his “less government” campaign message..

Realists understand that there will always be some form of taxes that people will have to pay, whether they be income taxes, usage taxes, or “fees” to government agencies. Yet it is the amount of taxes and, hence, the “amount” of government those taxes support, that could and should be much smaller.

If anything, next month’s hearings will hopefully force the administration and Congress to finally come to terms with a long-standing truth – that the majority of us “commoners” want to keep more of what we earn.

At one time, Americans were taught to reward success, to try to emulate it – not to tear it down, criticize it or punish it. Yet, today’s tax system does just that – it punishes success – even to the point of reaching overseas to rob the pocketbooks of Americans who don’t even live here and, hence, don’t use government services.

That’s more than just ridiculous; it’s criminal. Also, in a country as rich as America it is unnecessary.

It’s going to take a revolutionary spirit to force lawmakers to hear the tax reform movement and taxpayer’s voices as well. We can foster this spirit by giving a damn, getting up off our duffs and making our leaders listen.

In 2000, about 50 million people who live in the 95 percent of the nation we now euphemistically call “Bush Country” didn’t vote. I tell you this – if 50 million people can’t speak in a voice loud enough to get just 535 lawmakers and one president to listen, then we may as well give up every dime we make from here on out to Uncle Sam now and be done with it.