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r/PoliticalOpinions•
agenthex

U.S. Tax Boycott: Put your money where your mouth is

TL;DR Non-violent protest against tyranny by staging a national financial sit-in.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that people in the United States are being alienated by the decisions of our government. Statistical analysis indicates that our representatives are not representing the general public. They are actively hostile to our quality of life, and they are selling our future for a pittance. It is for these reasons that we must take action.

I see a lot of people who are upset but don't know what to do about it. They spend their days working jobs, and their nights worrying, and are forced to pay a significant portion of what they earn into the system that keeps them locked in a loop.

But if their representatives fail to represent the public, then why should the public be forced to support them? In the past, the reason has been "because it benefits everyone," but that seems to be less and less the case. Republicans want to gut social services and increase military spending, all while neglecting national infrastructure and environmental stability.

So, when voting with our ballots fails, we must vote with our wallets by refusing to financially support the delinquency of our government. There are three ways to boycott income taxes:

  1. Quit. If you work for any of the companies that contribute to our political delinquents, you are being burned at both ends. If you aren't making enough money to declare taxes, there is nothing they can do to squeeze any money out of you.

  2. Lie. If you can claim that you made no money, or that you have multiple dependents, or that other factors caused you to make less money than the legal minimum to file, you can mis-report your earnings in order to fly under the radar.

  3. Stop. If all else fails, stop doing the same thing and instead, do nothing.

If you are unable to do any of these things, you can still assist by being a human and showing empathy towards those who are able and willing to stand against a compulsory system that funds corruption. If you work for a company that is in a position to enforce these rules, defy the system and show compassion and understanding.

If we can achieve critical mass, there is no way they can take on all of us. I don't know if it's reasonable to shoot for April 15, 2017, but it's probably the best symbolic date.

Posted Mar 30, 2017, 4:39 AM UTC

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Rorschach31•

Tax evasion comes with serious penalties, and is not something to be undertaken flippantly. I don't like my taxes supporting causes I don't agree with; hell, I don't really agree with most taxes period. But everyone has portions of government spending that they disagree with. This isn't a new concept.

Why in this case is it reasonable, in your opinion, to commit tax evasion? Would it have been reasonable under other administrations? Is it worth ending up like Wesley Snipes? If so, why now?

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agenthexOP•

I find it reasonable because our government refuses to represent its populace. If they are not willing to support their constituents, why should their constituents support them?

It goes beyond this administration. It is emphasized by this administration, but you can see it going back to 9/11 and earlier. People don't want to be surveilled, people don't want to go to war, people don't want to pay for private companies to take risks, and people don't want tax cuts for the wealthiest while what little medical coverage they have is stripped away. People don't want to mortgage their future to subsidize the status quo.

I believe it would have been reasonable under previous administrations, but it is practically urgent now. The fact is, the Federal Government controls the tax structure, but they also control the money supply. If they really needed money, they would just print more. This is a terrible idea, but it's exactly what they did to bail out the banks. It's 100% arbitrary, and the rules are stacked against 99% of the population (which is only reinforced by lobbying). When people realize what is happening, the only thing keeping the money flowing will be the threat of jail for evasion. If enough people refuse, they will not have the space and manpower to jail everyone.

Safety in numbers. Take back America.

I should probably add that earning less than the minimum to file income tax is a 100% legitimate way to refuse to pay taxes.

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maxinesadorable•

But then your poor and that sucks. I think a more powerful way is getting so many people to stand up and refuse that they will actually have to listen.

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Rorschach31•

People were against the war in Tripoli, that's not a new sentiment. I'm not understanding what in the current political climate makes tax evasion "practically urgent."

Keep in mind that about 48% of Americans pay no federal income taxes, and most everyone else has those income taxes automatically taken from their paycheck. Filing taxes for most people means filing for a refund. So a small minority of Americans are in a position to electively not pay taxes, and among those I can't imagine many would consider risking jail time due to politics.

But the more important point is that of all the options available to someone to protest, illegally withholding tax money to try to force the hand of a democratically elected government seems not only a poor method of having your voice heard, but also borderline extortion. Trying to prevent government from operating until your demands are met. Healthcare decisions, information collection, etc. that you disagree with seems like a bad time to resort to attempting to extort your government.

Also, I really like the tag line at the end. "Safety in numbers, take back america." It's not as catchy as "resist" but it but it may swing well in the rust belt when you run for election.

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brennanfee•

Wow... just wow. That's some powerful stupid.

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agenthexOP•

Thanks. I appreciate your thorough critique.

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brennanfee•

Yeah, I like to put my all into it. ;-)

But seriously, taxes are not a form of protest (or rather not paying taxes is not a form of protest). It would be no different than considering shoplifting a form of protest against the "wealthy" proprietor. The simple fact that most people seem to forget is that we all consume government services and benefit from the taxes we pay. Some more, some less... that's the price you pay for living in a civilized society.

Do we (including myself) wish our tax dollars were better spent? Of course. That's why we need to fight to ensure that our representatives represent the people and not their donors or moneyed interests.

Being a "free loader" is not someone who uses a government service like Welfare or Medicare... being a free loader is someone who doesn't pay their share of taxes. Not paying taxes means you get the benefits of those services "for free" as others had to pay for them. Still people aren't generally the problem. The largest single block of free loaders is corporations who have over the last 60 years successfully shifted the tax burden away from themselves and onto the people. Back in the 50's businesses comprised between 25 to 30% of tax revenue... now they are less than 12%. "The people" have had to pick up that slack.

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agenthexOP•

The simple fact that most people seem to forget is that we all consume government services and benefit from the taxes we pay.

I'd agree, with the noted exception that "pay" be instead "paid," because this is becoming less and less true, and at some point, it may be considered more false than true.

Do we (including myself) wish our tax dollars were better spent? Of course. That's why we need to fight to ensure that our representatives represent the people and not their donors or moneyed interests.

How is that working out for us?

Still people aren't generally the problem. The largest single block of free loaders is corporations who have over the last 60 years successfully shifted the tax burden away from themselves and onto the people. Back in the 50's businesses comprised between 25 to 30% of tax revenue... now they are less than 12%. "The people" have had to pick up that slack.

Exactly. Corporations have no problem exploiting the system against us. Not only do they attempt to minimize their own tax burden, but they use the profits to lobby your representatives for subsidies and other favorable laws. So, why again should the little guy be picking up the bill year after year?

Politicians are currently trying to dismantle medical, environmental, educational, and privacy regulations. Meanwhile, Joe Taxpayer is being forced to pay for all of it with near zero input on how much is spent or on what (except by choosing one of a few people who will almost certainly be corrupted in some way).

But because they make the laws and you don't, they decided you pay. Or else.

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brennanfee•

You are making good points and I don't disagree with the issues. It's just your solution, to me, is not the best way to solve the problem.

I used to be very against so-called "single-issue voters". I thought, no one issue could be so important that it should be focused on above all others. Well, I must be a hypocrite because I am now a single-issue voter.

If a candidate is not for significant election reform - and I mean amendments to the Constitution kind of stuff - than they will not get my vote. And many of the issues you are bringing up are some of my reasons why.

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