"There are two methods, or means, and only two, whereby man's needs and desires can be satisfied. One is the production and exchange of wealth; this is the economic means. The other is the uncompensated appropriation of wealth produced by others; this is the political means." -- Albert Jay Nock

Liberty or Slavery?

According the Declaration of Independence, Government is "instituted among Men" and derives its powers from the "consent of the governed." It has no authority or power but that delegated to it by the People (or wrested by force from them in the case of totalitarian regimes).

Government is supposed to be the Servant of the People. But over the past century or so, that has somehow been reversed. Through the advent of the income tax, the American People became the Servants, and government became the Master.

In what other relationship would we be required to report every penny of our earnings to the government at specific intervals and be forced by law to turn over an excessively large percentage of it? In what other relationship would we allow our employers to send part of our pay to the government before we ever see it ourselves? Would a Master quake in terror upon hearing that his financial records were being audited by his Servant? Would the Master be subject to penalties and punishment by the Servant for making a mistake in his calculations or failing to file on time?

When were we sold into bondage? And by whom?

We as complacent citizens have allowed many laws to be passed giving the government more and more control over our lives. We the People have relinquished many of our rights to self-rule, believing that a beneficent and capable government could take on the responsibilities that Americans used to shoulder themselves.

We have allowed social reformers to plunder our labor in the name of charity. But forced charity is not charity at all. We've been sold a myth that Robin Hood was a hero because he stole from the rich to give to the poor, so it is all right for the government to do likewise. Regardless of Robin Hood's noble purpose, he was still a thief.

The 20th Century was a hundred years of tax and spend and tax some more. It was a period in which we ever so gradually quit taking care of our families and neighbors and became insensitive to the needs of others, believing that "the government will take care of them." After all, that's what we pay all those outrageous taxes for, isn't it? Isn't that what government is for?

No, my friends, that is not what government is for.

Government has one purpose and one purpose only - to protect the rights of its citizens. Your rights, my rights and the rights of all Americans. Your rights to "life, liberty and property" as John Locke first termed them in the 17th Century.

About a hundred years later, Thomas Jefferson used the more eloquent words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," but our founding fathers understood that happiness is inseparable from property. In those days even a man's family was his property as wives and children were chattels of the husband or father. It was a man's duty to nurture and protect his family, to provide for them to the best of his ability, and to leave a legacy for future generations, at the very least the family farm or village work shop. Men who failed to meet their family responsibilities were despised by their peers. No man was legally required to provide financial support for another man's family, though many did so out of charity.

A lot has changed since 1776 -- much for the better. Most of the improvements have come from the ingenuity of individuals who have found better, faster and cheaper ways to produce food, goods and services, and better healthcare. We've gradually moved from an agrarian society where 90% of the population were farmers to an industrial, technological society where less than 10% of the population is engaged in farming.

At the same time, we've also moved from a federal government charged by the Constitution (in 1787) with specific limited powers to one with rapidly expanding supremacy over the States and the People.

Society itself has changed, with fewer people being self-sufficient and far too many people being partially or even totally dependent on government largess. Even huge businesses seek taxpayer supported handouts, and many foreign governments who despise us get billions in aid.

Congressmen, who used to be called "public servants" and "representatives" but now are called "lawmakers," pat themselves on the back and are assured of their reelection when they can appropriate funds for one of their pork barrel projects that sends tax money to their home district at the expense of taxpayers in other districts. They brag that they are "stimulating the economy," while we struggle to provide for our families on limited budgets.

Ayn Rand called these politicians "looters" because they consume America's wealth and produce nothing. They believe the People are too stupid to run their own lives, so they want to control everything and make the choices for us that we should be making for ourselves.

The time has come to rescue America from the hands of the political "looters." We can only do that by cutting off their money supply. When ENOUGH of us are willing to stand up and say, "No," to them, we can restore personal liberty and property rights. We can once more require the government to serve us, not supervise us.

The first step is to repeal the 16th Amendment and abolish the income tax.

The second step is to cut federal spending to the point that no replacement tax is needed. There are many ways we can do this. One is to declare peace with the world, pull our troops out of more than 100 nations, and take a position of armed neutrality, defending our country but not trying to police the world or dictate how others live.

You can help by sharing our vision with other over-taxed Americans.

Cory Layne
Editor

P.S. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. We will try to respond to all of them personally and will include a selection of them in future newsletters and on the DeTaxUS website. Mail to: Editor@DeTaxUS.com

P.P.S. Join DeTaxUS and take a stand today at http://www.detaxus.com/

DISCLAIMERS:

The information contained herein is general in nature and is solely the opinion of the author of the editorial. The reader should seek professional guidance prior to taking any action based upon this information. DeTaxUS, Inc. shall have no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other which may affect the information provided.