I'll have to agree with Mr. Obi-Wan on this one. I'd also like to add that in the
past, one of the popular complaints was "taxation without representation." Now I
understand that some of you may gripe that the person you voted for isn't in office.
Well, we all know that in the world of politics (and many other things), you and your
people get recognized through hard work and alot of exposure....not to mention needing
Benjamin and quite a few of his Twins to get your back.
Anyhow, before I get off the subject, and in no way am I a historian, but I believe
that in the past, we were taxed by the crown without any good reason and without
benefits. Although we pay far more taxes today, we stand with the opportunity to set
our own standards and goals for our neighborhoods, our communities, our states, and
our country. We have a say in where our taxed money goes, and it's your job to make
it known if you object. There are plenty of opportunities to speak out at public
hearings. I believe that it does in fact take money to run a stable government. Can
you imagine all the chaos that would result if we didn't pay taxes? Just imagine all
the programs that would be lost: all the elderly that would die of starvation or die
from lack of good medical care, imagine how many doctors just might rip us young folk
off for a yearly medical exam, how many violent people would be out of government
subsidized prisons and roam free in your neighborhoods, how many non-profit programs
for the mentally ill and physically handicapped that would disappear, the lists goes
on and on. Although it's a dog eat dog world, our compassion and care for fellow
Americans at home and fellow humans around the world is what defines us as Americans.
My two bits,
JC
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
om To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]@Internet
cc: (bcc: James
Chang/Americas/NSC)
07/01/2002 03:33 Subject: Re: [D] July 4th
PM
If i am to take correctly that your concern is economic independance and freedom then
i would
remind you that 230 years ago our society's functioning did not depend on large and
complex
infrastructure systems as it does today. while a lot of our economic productivity may
be used
in the maintenance of these systems, the arguement could be made that these same
systems allow
us alot of freedom in return as well. For one of to visit another country might be a
special
event today for instance but 230 years ago it probably a once lifetime (if ever)
event. Our
standard of living even for lower (or like myself exempt) tax bracket members of our
society
is probably much greater then even the richest of kings and queens in 1776. Illiteracy
and
disease rates were also a lot worse back then also. So i would say that today we have
a lot
more freedom of thought and action but much less freedom from our obligations and
attachments
to modern society. that is my opinion at least.
Progress may not be cheap but at least it's usally convenient,
Obi-Wan
--- Chris Dooley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> So me and this guy were sitting and having a little debate and here is how it sort
>of went
> though very narrated. We had this debate at a party of all things.
>
> We were discussing the 4th of July and the meaning behind it.
> It is my understanding this is the day back in 1776 that we declared independence
>from
> britain and their high taxes, etc etc...
> Thus the declaration of independence and soon after the constitution were born.
>
> Now i studied history some in college but i am not a history buff, but my friend put
>this
> scenario to me....as he proclaims to some what be a history buff....
>
> Now i know that people like to have an excuse to party and that is fine, but he
>questioned
> that a lot of people just celebrate holidays without even thinking about the meanings
> anymore, which makes sense. but he told me that the reasons behind us fighting the
>british
> back in the day were justified as there laws and tariffs were tyrannical, etc
>etc.....
>
> He goes on further to tell me that the many of the "reasons" we ended up having the
> revolutionary war back then are not only in effect and law now but are worse in the
>present
> time (brought on by the us govt and big business). Reasons being things such as
>percentage
> of income to taxes, privacy, owning a gun, and basic freedoms, etc etc....
>
> He says that we had many problems including that back then the british wanted 5% of
> everything we earned to go to them, yet now we pay close to at least 25% or more of
> everything we earn in sales taxes, income taxes (which are stolen from us before we
>even see
> it), property taxes, estate taxes, etc taxes.....
>
> So my question and wonder is this.... is the us govt more oppressive now than the
>british
> govt was back in the time of the revolutionary war (and thus the birth of the
>holiday of
> July 4th) and is the holiday just a spoof of celebrated so called independence and
>freedom?
> What are your thoughts?
>
> Now i know we do have it better than some countries believe me, (of course there are
>many
> that are "more free" with different social system structures that do just as well
> economically) but i am wondering if all those years i have celebrated "freedom" (as
>i was
> taught and learned) has really been just a waste brought on by the propaganda of the
> traditional american holiday in general? And is all this money i and many others
>spent over
> the years on fireworks and barbecues etc etc, though put to good use and fun and i
>do not
> regret it (hee-hee), been just a waste of our resources to celebrate something that
>doesnt
> hold as much truth as it used to?
>
> If anyone is a history buff maybe they can shed some light on this, or maybe if u
>just have
> an opinion?
>
> And to keep this somewhat on topic what is everyone doing for July 4th.....?
> And though i question the logic of the holiday (less than my friend) i will be out
>in force
> with the grill and the new mix cd....just bc i like to party.....
>
> peace
>
> d
>
> www.audiomind.tk
>
>
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