How did America survive before the Federal income tax came along in the early 20th Century?

Question

and what do you think would happen if today they was no more Federal income tax? Would Americans be better or worse off?

Answer 1

In the beginning of this country the Fed govt. wasn't so needy of the people's money. There were taxes, just not as numerous as today. People were a lot more self sufficient back then. Communities provided their own schools. There was no systematized health care, no food stamps, no welfare. Military was not that big and the govt did accrue a debt with France and Spain for a time. People worked very hard back then. As far as our being better off with out the income tax, I think we need to get away from it and go to a flat tax and cut back on welfare to be only available to people who are citizens of this country and not illegal aliens that cost the tax payer hundreds of billions of dollars. We also need to quit giving billions of dollars to countries that spit in our face. In a 5 year period this all could add up to over a trillion dollars tax payers shell out. There is the free health care for Americans. Not raising taxes. Stop throwing it away.

Now what the heck did I write to get a thumb down? I didn't think anything I wrote would be offensive to anyone, except for maybe a politician that is getting paid off by lobbyists of other countries, and some illegal alien sympathizers who are idiots.

Everything I said was based on facts.
Illegals cost this country in a 5 year period over 350 billion dollars in welfare, free education, free medical which has bankrupted the ERs in hospitals. They steal and use people's Soc. Sec. numbers and wreak havoc with that. I know. I am going through that now with the IRS and the Soc. Sec. Admin. THey tell me that it is costing the taxpayers millions in just the fraudulent use of Soc. Sec. numbers.
Stop the illegals and there is aprox. $350 billion in the next 5 years.
Did this pi$$ off someone?
Or the thowing money to countries that hate us and this is in the billions of dollars.
Imagine what could be done with a trillion dollars in a 5 year period. This would help citizens of this country. The far left idiots always cry about free health care. Well, there it is.
Only a total idiot could not see the rational in this.
Oh, and get rid of the Federal Reserve. Go back to the system that Pres. Lincoln had established with the greenback.
The Fed. Res. was a big infilttration of elitists that did not and do not have America in its best interests.

Answer 2

First, our Government did just fine without income tax before 1913. There was often a surplus. The income tax only became necessary, when the Federal Reserve (A PRIVATE BANK, NOT A FEDERAL AGENCY), came into existence, and took over control of our money supply. Income tax basically does nothing but pay the interest that the government incurs by borrowing money from the Federal Reserve, which would not be needed if the Federal Reserve did not exist, and the government was still printing the money like they are supposed to do. The Globalist Elite, created the Federal Reserve and the income tax, illegally and immorally FOR THEIR BENEFIT, ONLY!!!

Check out the documentary America: From Freedom To Fascism, by Aaron Russo!!!

Answer 3

Our Federal government relied on tarrifs. They "taxed" the transport of goods. Was this better or worse? Before the income tax arrived, programs such as veteran benefits, education loans and grants, small buisness loans and grants, and most welfare programs could not exist. Now that they do exist, there is a growing dependancy on them and more and more of our federal budget supports these.

The question you have asked is a tough one to answer. Capitalism versus Communism, in essence. I would read Marx and Aquinas for more on these philosophies.

Answer 4

They "owed their soul to the company store."

We are too socially progressive to go without any of our programs, and as a Conservative, even I know that.

But a flat tax of some kind would be fairer. Or a national sales tax, and disbanding of the IRS.

But it is very difficult to get rid of an established bureaucracy.

Answer 5

Tariffs mostly. You taxed the products rather than the people (See the Stamp tax for details).

Naturally nobody was particularly pleased with this method either (Boston Tea Party, Whiskey Rebellion, etc)

-Dio

Answer 6

Part A- no clue.
Part B-
Ross Perot wanted a 1% tax on everything purchased, period.
No write-offs, etc.
Just some bare necessities to not be taxed, like clothes, shoes, and food.
But see,t he biggest problem came from people who opposed the stock and bond 1% tax.
They couldn't trade frequently and screw everyone over so easily.
So he never got a chance.

Answer 7

We didn't have HUGE social welfare programs like we do now... Johnson's War on Poverty caused more problems than it helped...not to include the destruction of the American Family in poor urban areas...

Answer 8

The same as now. The wealthy owned slaves.

Go big Red Go

Answer 9

Only landowners were taxed. Only landowners could vote. It worked pretty well. It could work well again.

Answer 10

I think import duties were the main source of revenue.