If we the people are the master of congress and the courts, why do we pay income tax?

Question

I think it be Thomas Jefferson that said we the people are the master of congress and the courts, not to overthrow the constitution but to overthrow the men that pervert the constitution

Answer 1

Well, 1st of all, hate to disillusion you, but we the people quit being master of congress and the courts decades ago thanks to corrupt lawyers, judges and the ACLU. Income tax was levied on we the people by the officials we voted in to govern us. And as for me, I pay it to avoid a barred cell in a federal penitentary...:-)

Answer 2

Odd category for this question, but ...

Mainly because of the nature of politics. Representatives, once elected, have a vested interest in seeing government grow larger. Special interests, representing both large voting blocs and financial contributors, feel that government programs which benefit them should never be decreased, and increased whenever, wherever, and however possible. Our representatives, often beholden to these groups, vote more often than not to maintain or increase these government programs in order to keep their jobs.

Income tax, introduced about a hundred years ago as a small tax, has become the fuel on which big government (basically the redistribution of wealth) runs. Anyone wanting to reduce taxes is faced with the question of which government programs need to be eliminated or reduced. In truth, very few ever are: Sometimes growth is reduced, but these reductions are typically attacked by the supporters of bigger government as "cuts," making them unpalatable to a benefit-hungry populace.

"Never underestimate the government's appetite for your money."

Answer 3

Income tax helps to pay for public services, like roads, public schools, police, the military, and public parks. Even public transportation that requires you to pay it some additional fee has been grealty subsidized by funds from income tax. Without income tax, that transportation would be much more expensive. In fact, without government subsidies, it may not be profitable to run such services so they might not even exist.

We pay income tax in order to give government the funds it needs to provide to us things that serve a common good. Without the government (and its funds) these services would not be available.

Would you rather not have a government at all? If you think there is a benefit to having a government (at all levels: national, state, and local), then try to imagine other ways to fund it. Eventually it comes down to the citizens to pay some sort of tax.

Answer 4

We have to pay income taxes because the Constitution gives Congree the power to "law and collect" income taxes. It is called the 16th Amendment. If you don't like paying income tax, then "we the people" can vote in new representatives to change the current tax laws.

Answer 5

We are an imperialistic nation, where money buys influences, power, and even opinion. It is free for you here to have your expression heard. How much do you think someone rich, through a lobbyist, or not, pays to have his opinions, goings on or wishes carried out. or expressed, via ANY means he/she deems as necessary to "git er done" ???, or not (as in dirty laundry) opined publicly through the legal system, or the press?? I see I received a thumbs down already, but my answer was very relative to the constitutionality part of your question-as it was said by the great Zen master Shuian-in a letter-to help you better and completely understand my statements of relativity to your question-directly---->> "Recently we see leaders in various places with mind tricks to control their followers, while their followers serve their leaders with ulterior motives of influence, power and profit. The leaders and followers trade off, above and below, fooling each other, how can education and communities fluorish?" I feel this directly relates to the question set forth, and I hope it helps you.

Answer 6

first, you're not "the master of congress and the courts" they, in theory, are ultimately accountable to you (the people). we pay income taxes to pay for the system of governance and benefits that come with having a stable system of governance. we do not necessarily have to pay income tax. other countries elect to pay a VAT (Value Added Tax). Kind of like a larger sales tax.

Answer 7

It's easiest to think of it this way: Everything has a cost.

In this case, it's the cost of helping run the government.

Answer 8

cause the bozos on capitol hill (who control the FBI) said to shut up and pay up... kinda like school bullies... 0_o

Answer 9

Actually there are several little reasons, Bush is spending Bullions of dollars on a war the people don't want, then we have a little thing like poverty, and social security, roads etc etc etc. The dollar is so low now, people living and working in foreign countries have a big problem, thank you mr bush

Answer 10

You can either pay taxes, or not have a government.