thoughts

 Great minds think alike. That's an old axiom we use when others agree with our thoughts. Usually, it is said tongue in cheek and a wink of the eye. But it is the collective that achieves greatness. That is true with a family, a community and a nation. The founding fathers thought quite a bit alike. That is how our constitution got written. Now they didn't all agree on every detail, there was much debate and discussion, but they did agree in principle. Today it would seem our politicians, and they are the lawmakers, can't agree in principle on anything at all. They are not thinking alike.

  Just what is the thought today when it comes to government? What is the principle? The founding fathers said, "we hold these truths to be self-evident" and went on to tell you what those truths are. They declared the purpose of government was to secure these rights. The consent of the governed was the basis for securing those rights. Is that true today? Given the state of the electoral process you have to question that. What are those representatives really representing? It would appear they are representing whoever donates the most to their campaigns. When three per cent of a population can dictate a course of action is that representation? Not in a Republic it isn't. When the majority is being told they are the problem, is that a true representation of the nation? 

  Now the founding fathers were concerned with human rights. The right to strive for greatness unencumbered by government. They would be no paying tribute to a government. That's what Kings and tyrants demand, tribute. It wasn't until 1861, eighty five years after achieving independence, that the first personal income tax had to be paid in America. That was earmarked to pay for the civil war. That tax was repealed in 1872. In 1895 the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to tax anyone without that tax being applied to each state based on population. Basically, what they meant was a flat tax. Not surprisingly the states with the highest incomes didn't agree with that and the ones with the lowest thought it to be completely fair. In 1913, in the final months of the Taft administration, the congress passed the 16th amendment. In 1912 the Democrats had won the presidency and control of the house and congress. So, you now have to pay tribute to the government as a result of that legislation. Well, if you work for a living, you do anyway. Seventy thousand pages of legislation have been passed since 1913 governing the collection of that tax. Seventy thousand pages! 

  What was the principle the founding fathers supported? If a man worked, treated his neighbors and business partners fairly, he could improve his condition. Moral and ethical behaviors were to be valued above all else. That is the importance of religion. Yes, Christianity was the predominant religion being practiced in the United States at its' inception but, it is important to note no other religion was barred! In fact, separating church from state was of primary importance. It was understood, government is a business. Government should be run for profit, for the good of everyone. The purpose of government is to ensure fair and equal treatment for all. Important to note that seventy thousand pages of legislation has failed to accomplish that as far as taxes go. A flat rate, applied to all equally, is the only answer. 

 Why hasn't that been instituted? The answer is obvious enough. Those making the most do not want that because they would have to pay the most. Those with the money can control just who represents them. Gaining support, it is called and a bit of a misnomer. Those doing the supporting are doing so for the benefit of themselves. Yes, we are all that way. Even with all of that, the top ten percent are paying seventy one percent of all taxes collected! Is that fair and equal treatment? Hardly seems so to me. Still, no one is proposing repeal of the 16th amendment. An amendment that the Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional! It was that is, until the Democrats decided differently.