Article: Viewing Taxes in a New Light

It's time Americans challenge the misconception that like death, paying income taxes is a foregone conclusion.

Instead of being relieved when we finally finish the dreaded annual process involving endless paperwork, a confusing, ever-changing code and the infuriating bottom line of what we must pay, Americans should think about how their forebears, less than 95 years ago, weren't subjected to this unconstitutional tyranny.

Throughout the year, having paid federal taxes through withholding, Social Security taxes, state income taxes, local property taxes, sales tax and a myriad of other taxes on vehicles and gas, who doesn't feel like he or she is being bled dry?

The Constitution Party (www.constitutionparty.com)is reminding Americans as the mid-April filing deadline looms, that according to the Constitution the federal government does not have the authority to tax our income. "We've been so brainwashed all these years into thinking that income tax is legitimate - it's not" said the party's National Chairman attorney Jim Clymer. "Why, just look at how the Library of Congress website describes the very first Tax Day in 1913:"

"Income taxes have become such a common part of our lives, that it is hard to imagine that, at one time there was no income tax in the U.S. From its beginning, this country has been very expensive to run, and the government has been responsible for raising the money to pay those expenses. Before the Revolutionary War, whiskey and tobacco taxes provided most of the revenue. After the war, however, the government needed more money."

The Constitution Party asks Americans "Just how much more money does the federal government need, anyway?"

In 1913 federal, state and local taxes amounted to about eight percent of our income. Today, taxes take over 33% of what we make. Based on that, it appears the government is about four times more expensive than it was in 1913.

According to the Tax Foundation, Americans work 116 days to pay federal, state and local taxes. We only work 62 days to pay for housing and only 30 days for food.

The Constitution Party points out that America is nine trillion dollars in debt. Both "Big Box" parties have contributed to running up that debt and both parties have absolutely no intention of ending the unconstitutional taxing, or spending.

Now is the time to look at taxation for what it really is:The current system of taxation is unconstitutional because in Article I, Section 9, the original document made clear that "no Capitation, or other direct Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census of Enumeration herein before directed to be taken." It is moreover established that "No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State."

Since 1913, our Constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property have been diminished by federal income, payroll, and estate taxes. That is why:

We propose legislation to abolish the Internal Revenue Service, and will veto any appropriation which contains funding for the unconstitutional agency. We are opposed to the flat-rate tax, national sales tax, and value added tax proposals that are being promoted as an improvement to the current tax system. The Sixteenth Amendment does not provide authority for a direct tax..period!

It's time to encourages Americans, weary from over-taxation by parties which have deliberately rejected the Founder's constraints on taxation, to think outside the (Big) Box and realize how NOT being taxed to death isn't all that .....HARD TO IMAGINE!