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My family assembled for Independence Day. Hot dogs and political fireworks were on the menu. Modern anti-tax talk was debated safely from folding lawn chairs.
In 1765, Colonial tax objectors stuffed clothes with straw, tied nooses, and burned effigies. Sacking tax official's homes involved risk, resolve and enough rum to get a crowd motivated.
American colonist in 1765 didn't take kindly to the 54 provisions of the Stamp Act. Especially the tax on newspapers, which in today's dollars, equated to a penny per printed page.
Self-employed colonial citizens couldn't see themselves paying more for print to finance a King's expensive war. Colonist didn't mumble polite discontent, over noodle salad, for being ignored by a distant Parliament— they roared. Average Americans don't roar anymore. School history books have drawings of those brave colonial acts— but that's old-timey stuff. Government officials responsible for today's wasteful spending and increased taxes don't get ransacked, they go golfing.
Taxpayers would rather hold a yard sale after their foreclosure than accost a putting senator. Massachusetts citizenry of 1765 were less tolerant and self sufficient. That effigy holding elm was the Tree of Liberty and the mob The Son's of Liberty. The straw burning body was Andrew Oliver, distributor of stamps in Massachusetts. He had a bad day— colonial citizenry went postal over the Stamp Act.
American taxation in the 21st century has become acceptable— tolerable. We're a submissive lot compared to our founding fathers.
I calculate 50 percent of my income is captured by government taxes, fees and county assessments. The Stamp Act's penny per page punch in the pocketbook spurred colonial action. I break out my checkbook— why? I found a clue at the family picnic. Ten government employees, current or retired, slurped baked beans. Only five of the gathered sweltered in private sector employment. Some drew social security and public pensions. Tax money buys beans.
My cousin is a conservative cop, “My financial planner said my state retirement is worth $2.3 million.” He hates government hand-outs.
I asked, “What's your state retirement contribution?”
“$450 a month. The State adds twice that amount.”
His contributions into the Public Employee Retirement System will total $486K. He'll reap $2.3 million— if the actuary tables are correct. He's a conservative?
I was curious, “What's the most cash you've confiscated on a traffic stop?”
“$875K is my personal best. My partner and I pulled $1.2 million out of a drug dealer's car.”
I propose all drug dollars seized deposit into PERS to increase police retirement payments. Let Mexican drug cartels finance police pensions.
Fear of cartel retaliation will force our government to define and secure the southern border. The signers of the Declaration of Independence clarified their country's boundaries, and then risked their homes— and sacrificed property and life to defend it. Why can't our modern lawmakers do the same? Today's professional politicians don't sign documents that risk their fortunes for principal. Relax, government and criminal effigies won't be publicly burned this July— it's too hot. A Mexican border bill is too late anyway— lawmakers sold our democracy to communist China. Did I mention fireworks were canceled in my home town? Too expensive, officials said.
I don't think the elected wanted thousands of unemployed people assembling, on a hot day, drinking alcohol. The crowd's talk might turn to taxes, the economy, and government fiscal mismanagement. Someone might own a lighter and decide to build a human doll.
America's a debtor nation— celebrating Independence Day while communist China owns the mortgage on Lady Liberty. Not even my cousin's six-shooter and badge can save us if we default to China and they foreclose on these United States. I fear China will dissolve the dollar and American resolve by canceling retirement and curing unemployment. American's would be put to work building a stone wall on the Mexican border to protect the yen.
China has experience stopping an invading horde and overcrowding in Chinese prisons isn't a legal issue for the noncompliant. American kids won't know the difference or read about the change. They'll still be entertained when the Chinese own us lock, stock
and barrel. Besides the Chinese can afford fireworks— they invented the bombs in the
7th century.
Thanks to our weak voices and spending politicians we may watch future fireworks, huddled in the dark, celebrating Chinese Dependence Day.
In 1765, Colonial tax objectors stuffed clothes with straw, tied nooses, and burned effigies. Sacking tax official's homes involved risk, resolve and enough rum to get a crowd motivated.
American colonist in 1765 didn't take kindly to the 54 provisions of the Stamp Act. Especially the tax on newspapers, which in today's dollars, equated to a penny per printed page.
Self-employed colonial citizens couldn't see themselves paying more for print to finance a King's expensive war. Colonist didn't mumble polite discontent, over noodle salad, for being ignored by a distant Parliament— they roared. Average Americans don't roar anymore. School history books have drawings of those brave colonial acts— but that's old-timey stuff. Government officials responsible for today's wasteful spending and increased taxes don't get ransacked, they go golfing.
Taxpayers would rather hold a yard sale after their foreclosure than accost a putting senator. Massachusetts citizenry of 1765 were less tolerant and self sufficient. That effigy holding elm was the Tree of Liberty and the mob The Son's of Liberty. The straw burning body was Andrew Oliver, distributor of stamps in Massachusetts. He had a bad day— colonial citizenry went postal over the Stamp Act.
American taxation in the 21st century has become acceptable— tolerable. We're a submissive lot compared to our founding fathers.
I calculate 50 percent of my income is captured by government taxes, fees and county assessments. The Stamp Act's penny per page punch in the pocketbook spurred colonial action. I break out my checkbook— why? I found a clue at the family picnic. Ten government employees, current or retired, slurped baked beans. Only five of the gathered sweltered in private sector employment. Some drew social security and public pensions. Tax money buys beans.
My cousin is a conservative cop, “My financial planner said my state retirement is worth $2.3 million.” He hates government hand-outs.
I asked, “What's your state retirement contribution?”
“$450 a month. The State adds twice that amount.”
His contributions into the Public Employee Retirement System will total $486K. He'll reap $2.3 million— if the actuary tables are correct. He's a conservative?
I was curious, “What's the most cash you've confiscated on a traffic stop?”
“$875K is my personal best. My partner and I pulled $1.2 million out of a drug dealer's car.”
I propose all drug dollars seized deposit into PERS to increase police retirement payments. Let Mexican drug cartels finance police pensions.
Fear of cartel retaliation will force our government to define and secure the southern border. The signers of the Declaration of Independence clarified their country's boundaries, and then risked their homes— and sacrificed property and life to defend it. Why can't our modern lawmakers do the same? Today's professional politicians don't sign documents that risk their fortunes for principal. Relax, government and criminal effigies won't be publicly burned this July— it's too hot. A Mexican border bill is too late anyway— lawmakers sold our democracy to communist China. Did I mention fireworks were canceled in my home town? Too expensive, officials said.
I don't think the elected wanted thousands of unemployed people assembling, on a hot day, drinking alcohol. The crowd's talk might turn to taxes, the economy, and government fiscal mismanagement. Someone might own a lighter and decide to build a human doll.
America's a debtor nation— celebrating Independence Day while communist China owns the mortgage on Lady Liberty. Not even my cousin's six-shooter and badge can save us if we default to China and they foreclose on these United States. I fear China will dissolve the dollar and American resolve by canceling retirement and curing unemployment. American's would be put to work building a stone wall on the Mexican border to protect the yen.
China has experience stopping an invading horde and overcrowding in Chinese prisons isn't a legal issue for the noncompliant. American kids won't know the difference or read about the change. They'll still be entertained when the Chinese own us lock, stock
and barrel. Besides the Chinese can afford fireworks— they invented the bombs in the
7th century.
Thanks to our weak voices and spending politicians we may watch future fireworks, huddled in the dark, celebrating Chinese Dependence Day.
