United Liberty

I admit it.  I’m one of those guys who waits until the last minute to file my taxes.  I knew I was going to owe, so I saw little need to rush it.  However, one of the more frustrating things about the season was using part of the tax preparation software I was using.  It broke down where my tax dollars were going in an exact amount.

What really annoyed me was that what I owed was less than the amount of money going towards things I’m morally against.  Everything from wealth redistribution programs to our two three wars was sucking more of my tax dollars than I had already paid in.

I accept that not everyone has the same priorities for government as I do.  I may think you’re wrong, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect your opinion.  However, Thomas Jefferson once said, “To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” And yet, that’s exactly what we do today.

There’s been much ado about Planned Parenthood and their receiving of tax money, but this falls back on that Jefferson quote.  However, there’s something in the budget that just about everyone will have some problem with their tax dollars funding.  This is the frustration of tax season.

Invariably, someone will mention that taxation is theft.  Just as invariably, someone will deny it is.  They’re right, it’s not.  This is more like extortion when you think about it, rather than outright theft.  After all, you can minimize what they take, at least out of your paycheck.  But then you’re forced with either paying it to them, or they do something bad to you.  That’s extortion.

I accept taxes as a necessary evil for the most part.  But when we have a budget fight like we just had, with little real difference being made on our out of control spending, I’m left wondering.  I can’t help but wonder if there’s a condition in Washington that makes it impossible for them to see just how much trouble we really are in.

I’m sorry, but it’s amazing how many people become libertarian on April 15th.  If only they would hold onto it for the other 364 days of the year…