The Freedom Files
columnist: RS Davis

Topic: Taxation
I Hope You Didn’t "Always Bet On Black..."

---

Wesley Snipes goes down, along with Constitutional principles.

---

by RS Davis
(Libertarian)
Saturday, April 26, 2008

Hello Freedomphiles! So, Wesley Snipes is going to prison for 3 years on three misdemeanor tax charges. The Associated Press reports:

Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison on tax charges Thursday, a victory for prosecutors who sought to make an example of the action star by aggressively pursuing the maximum penalty.

Snipes' lawyers had spent much of the day in court offering dozens of letters from family members, friends even fellow actors Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington attesting to the good character of the "Blade" star and asking for leniency. They argued he should get only probation because his three convictions were all misdemeanors and the actor had no previous criminal record.

But U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges said Snipes exhibited a "history of contempt over a period of time" for U.S. tax laws, and granted prosecutors the three year sentence they requested  one year for each of Snipes' convictions of willfully failing to file a tax return.

A history of contempt? Shit, I have a history of outright revulsion. But one other question needs to be asked - doesn't the "equal protection" clause of the14th Amendment preclude "making an example" out of anyone? Doesn't that - by definition - mean that they are punishing him more harshly than anyone else who will be committing this "crime?"

But do you know what the most chilling quote from the entire affair is?

Criminal tax prosecutions are relatively rare usually the cases are handled in civil court, where the government has a lower burden of proof. Prosecutors said Snipes' case was important to send a message to would-be tax protesters not to test the government.

Sweet Jeebus! Don't test the government, because the Politiburo is going to drop on your head like a ton of tyrannical bricks.

There's a long and cherished history in this country of what are called "test cases," whereby someone intentionally breaks a law so as to have his day in court and test the Constitutionality of the law. For example:

Scopes v Tennessee (1925)

Adams v Cape Industries plc (1990)

Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (1992)

National Westminster Bank plc v Spectrum Plus Limited (2005)

So, when the prosecutor warns about "testing" the government, well, he can go ahead and eat the corn out of my shit, the fascist douchebag.

At any rate, I think Harry Reid might want to get his head out of his arse and review the Snipes case:

[link edited for length]

Did you like this article?
If you did, Thumb It!
6 thumbs so far

2008 RS Davis, all rights reserved.
Published: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Last modified: Saturday, April 26, 2008

The views expressed in this article are those of RS Davis only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. RS Davis is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.

Report violation by RS Davis of Nolan Chart LLC's terms of use policy.