[net.politics] Churches and taxes

slb@drutx.UUCP (Sue Brezden) (10/12/85)

>>Sue Brezden(me): slb@drutx , responding to Thomas Newton]
>Jan Wasilewsky
>> Funny, I never viewed taxes as mistreatment.  I always thought they
>> were the price we paid for living in a civilized society.
>
>Yeah, George III shared your views. And he sent his Hessians to
>civilize Jefferson and Franklin and other barbarians.

Jefferson and Franklin never opposed taxation.  They opposed taxation
without representation, which is quite another thing.  Jefferson was 
a president.  He presided over a government which was run on taxes, of 
whatever sort were levied then.

I do not always agree with my government (as a matter of fact--well,
let's not go into that right now....) but I do have a vote, and I do
have a representative, whom I can give a lot of shit to (and do), and 
withhold my vote from (and have).  If I fail to do that, it is my own 
damn fault.  Taxation in and of itself is no evil.  My taxes support a 
lot of things with which I disagree, like MX missiles, but also benefit 
a lot of things with which I agree, like the Smithsonian.  "You pays your 
money, you takes your chances."

>> I suppose if you view taxes as mistreatment, you have a reason for
>> your stand.  ...
>> 
>> Tell me, please--since taxes are mistreatment, do you pay yours?  Or
>> do you use the same arguement [sic] for yourself as you do for churches?
>> Of course, you may not want to answer that question :-).
>
>You've discovered a *great* method of disputation, Sue.
>Should make you almost invincible. Just shows how civilized
>one can get with enough taxation. :-)

There WAS a smiley face after that, Jan.  It was said in jest.  I am
sorry if it was not taken so.
-- 

                                     Sue Brezden
                                     
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