Woods --
I've heard we are under law to pay federal income tax, and then
I've heard we are not and I've seen in documentaries where court
decisions have not imprisoned people that evade federal income taxes.
Yet, some people are imprisoned if they don't pay their federal
income taxes.
Does anybody truly even know?
The US system is "voluntary" only in the sense that it is up to the
individual to declare his own tax liability and to report any deficiency in
taxes withheld from his paycheck. The standard term used for such a tax
policy system is "voluntary". In many countries the individual has no role
in the payment of taxes - the government deducts the money without asking
the citizen what he owes or what exemptions he may be entitled to. Of
course payment of the U.S. federal income tax is not optional, and the term
"voluntary" is deceptive for a tax mandated by federal law.
Here's additional information on the history of taxation in the U.S. copied
from Infoplease at
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005921.html
"From 1791 to 1802, the United States government was supported by internal
taxes on distilled spirits, carriages, refined sugar, tobacco and snuff,
property sold at auction, corporate bonds, and slaves. In 1817, however,
Congress did away with all internal taxes, relying on tariffs on imported
goods to provide sufficient funds for running the government. In 1862, in
order to support the Civil War effort, Congress enacted the nation's first
income tax law. It was a forerunner of our modern income tax in that it was
based on the principles of graduated, or progressive, taxation and of
withholding income at the source. During the Civil War, a person earning
from $600 to $10,000 per year paid tax at the rate of 3%. Those with
incomes of more than $10,000 paid taxes at a higher rate. The Act of 1862
established the office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue. The
Commissioner was given the power to assess, levy, and collect taxes, and the
right to enforce the tax laws through seizure of property and income and
through prosecution."
By the way, I agree that Ron Paul is a "true conservative", and would have
voted for him had I thought he had the support needed to win. As it turns
out, John McCain is the candidate of choice for conservatives, and I dread
to think what will happen to America under the leadership of Barack Hussein
Obama.
Best regards,
Ham
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