…“Taxation Without Representation” – what makes the 1700’s differ from today?

Question

We pay Income tax on every dollar we make, we pay sales tax on everything we buy (at least once), and we pay property tax year after year, yet when “we the people” speak, it falls on deaf ears.

The last American Revolution was fought over “Taxation Without Representation” – what makes the 1700’s differ from today?

Answer 1

The complete lacking of the will of the people to sacrafice material comfort for principle.

Sheep graze and do little more until they are liquidated for the remainder of their worth.

The founders of this nation had balls born of necessity and a natural aversion to the yoke on the neck. The yoke has apparently become comfortable.

Answer 2

You my friend understand the picture. We became a nation because we had no representation but were taxed.

Now we have representation. And that's not so hot either. I don't remember which comedian said this, "The wages of sin is death. But after taxes today it's just a little tired feeling".

Answer 3

It's that "Without Representation" part. The colonists didn't object to paying taxes, they objected to paying taxes that they had no voice in approving.

You have a voice through your votes in determining what taxes are assessed by the various governments. That is the difference.

Answer 4

The main difference is that almost all American citizens over 18 years old have the right to vote, while back in the Colonial days few citizens had that right. IN the primary elections over 50% do not avail themselves of this right, and in general elections it is rarely over 50% of those who have the right to vote actually exercise it. If you don't vote, then shut your d*mn mouth! You have no right to complain.

It is free to send emails and faxes to your politicians especially if you belong to a group like numbersusa. We, the citizens, have the power, as was demonstrated by our defeat of the awful, senate shamnesty bill. Participate or stop complaining!

Answer 5

The best example is Washington DC, which has no senators or house reps since it's not a "state". So even though it has a bigger population than Wyoming, for example, its people are taxed and have no vote in congress. The (R)'s would never move to change this, since DC would probably vote (D).

Answer 6

Some people have tried to resist the IRS and refuse to pay their taxes, but all of them are thrown in jail. We do have Congress, so it is not necessarily "taxation without representation", but still, I don't agree with the income tax.

Answer 7

The laws are made by a legislature called the US Congress and not by the English Parliament. The chief executive is a President George II, and not King George III.

Answer 8

The difference between 200 years ago and today is that 200 years ago we were taxed a lot less and people had the balls to do something about it.

Answer 9

We all have representation now, friend, and, we ALL use important and vital goods and services our government provides us. If paying taxes was an option NO ONE would pay, and, we would be at the mercy of the whims of private industry.

Answer 10

Then the people have an obligation and a responsibility to vote for people who will listen. We have a vote. That is the difference from the 1700's with England. We do have representation, and we chose who it is.

Personally, I feel that my elected representatives listen to me. I write to them and call them, and I feel that they respond to the needs of myself and their other constituents.