The Naked Truth
columnist: EJ Moosa

Topic: Taxation
Taxation Without Representation in the 21st Century

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There are over 53 million people being taxed without representation in the United States. These are American citizens, and it must stop.

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by EJ Moosa
(libertarian)
Monday, April 20, 2009

Taxation Without Representation, 21st Century Style

"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, "

-Declaration of Independence-1776

In 1776, a group of people now known as the United States, totaling 2.5 million people, declared their independence from England in large part to being taxed without representation. Everyone is familiar with the story of the Boston Tea Party and the ensuing events that chartered a new nation.

In 2005, in that new nation that was formed, there are now 18.4% of it's citizens that are taxed without representation. That represents over 53 million citizens that are taxed without representation. That is more than 21 times the number that formed a new nation in 1776. Do we have the consent of these 53 million people to tax them tomorrow for money spent today?

If you are under 18, and have never voted, what is your share of the debt before you even get the right to vote for representation? If you are sitting down, click here and see.

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."

-Declaration of Independence-1776

Our government has changed. Prudence has been ignored. The evils of deficit spending are being ignored and are not going to right themselves.

"For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:"

-Declaration of Independence-1776

So when you hear reporters comparing the events of April 15^th, 2009 to the Boston Tea Party, and saying they are not the same, you know they are wrong. For any time this nation runs a deficit, for any time this country has debt that must be paid by future generations, we are taxing without representation those between the ages of 0 and 18. You saw the parents holding their children at the anti-tax rallys April 15th. These parents get it and understand.

Have any of these future generations been consulted about the burdens we are establishing in their future? Have any consented to paying for our debts? No.

There are at least two ways that this issue can be addressed. The first is to give all those 17 and under the right to vote. Perhaps parents can vote on behalf of their children below a certain age. We could at least claim from a moral point that we hope the parents were voting for the best interests of their children.

The second way is to return to a balanced budget. A balanced budget will not create a tax liability for those 17 and under because for that fiscal year, the revenues received and the money spent are equal.

There may be other ways to achieve the same end objective, which is to not place upon future generations the cost of our present government.

Our forefathers paid for our freedom with their blood. They did not purchase their freedom with our blood.

So why are we today paying for our freedoms with the future earnings of our children and grandchildren? Are we going to right this wrong? Or are we so weak as to justify it because that is the easiest path for us to chart?

It's the Youth of America that need to rise up and be heard. They are the ones that are going to pay the price for what is going on in our nation today. They will be the ones to pay the legacy expenses of political decisions they were simply not a part of. To be blunt, we are treating them in the most un-American way possible. We are taxing them while at the same time keeping them silent. What could be more un-American or more unconstitutional?

Youth of America, it is time to stand up and be heard. If you do not, you shall pay the heaviest of prices. It is not okay for us to impose taxes on you without your consent, just because we can. We should be morally outraged. Many of us are. But I fear it will not be addressed until that segment of our population, that group of affected, begin to make their voices heard.

Would women have been granted the right to vote if the only voices heard were men?

No

Would racism have been addressed in this country if the only voices heard were white?

No.

The only way for this to be addressed is to hear the voice of those that are being taxed without representation. The Youth of America must begin to stand up for themselves. There are many of us who will join you in this just cause. But it must be you to take the first steps. The choice is yours.

Note to Parents:

Parents, it is time to discuss with your children what is happening in this nation, and what they may need to do to be heard and represented. They need your help. Have your children begin to write their Representatives and Senators and express their fear and outrage over the debt being generated on their behalf. Help your children take action before it is too late. Encourage them to discuss this issue with their friends on their Facebook and MySpace pages. Explain to them how much of their future earnings are already owned by their Federal Government. Help them to understand what they already owe. If you have other suggestions, please let me know and we can add them to this list.

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©2009 EJ Moosa, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Monday, April 20, 2009
Last modified: Monday, April 20, 2009

The views expressed in this article are those of EJ Moosa only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. EJ Moosa 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.

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