I think we have reached the brink. The government doesn't respond to the people any more. The majority of people in this country think we should get out of Iraq, but the war goes on. This isn't the case in Britain, nor in Italy, nor in Spain. Democracy is working in these countries. But here in the USA, public opinion has no effect on our military adventures. Therefore, marching in the streets is futile, a frustrating demonstration of social disfunctionality. There are only a couple of actions that might turn the tide, as these include a general strike, which is unlikely, and tax resistance.
Even a group as small as 2 or 300,000 people participating in a well publicised tax resistance movement might shake the pillars of government. Am I advocating tax resistance? Of course not, I am only giving you your options. The decision is yours. There is no advocating here, only an exchange of ideas.
I grew up in the sixties when we had a thing called draft resistance. When one is being called up to go kill and be killed, the choice of whether or not to resist the draft isn't hard to make. A couple of years in jail or living in Canada was not a bad alternative to going to Vietnam. But today, there is no draft, but the issues are the same. Of course it is easier to pay ones taxes than deal with the IRS, but sooner or later we have to take a stand. Am I advocating tax resistance? No, of course not , I am just laying out the options.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Paine II,
Posts: 6 | Location: California | Registered: 13 August 2007
Well, Henry Thoreau refused to pay the poll tax in protest of the U.S. attack against Mexico and, in retrospect, it is generally considered an act of great conscience.
Read Grant's memoirs about what a crime that U.S. attack was.
The U.S. has a way of lionizing its greatest citizens after they are safely in the grave.
Isn't it especially ominouse that the American people want us out of Iraq, but it appears that war with Iran is imminent? Talk about disregard for any simblance of democracy.
Why go to war with Iran--really? Well, I wonder, after the mayhem it will cause, then marshall law can be declared and all of those haliburten prisons being built for the last year and a half can be filled, by disodents like us--isn't that just delightful.
"Only the little people pay taxes." says Leona Helmsley. Well, that includes the liberal fools like ourselves who haven't got the courage to take a stand. We are paying for the bullets, the bombs, the cluster bombs, the mines, the spent uranium ........... and Haliburton, Becktel, United Defense, Blackwater....are laughing all the way to the bank.
"Let them march all they want, as long as they continue to pay their taxes." Gen. Alexander Haig, U.S. Secretary of State, June 12, 1982
Posts: 6 | Location: California | Registered: 13 August 2007
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, I am just laying out the options.
