During a discussion about IRS intrusiveness recently, I choose a moment to turn the conversation to the duty of Citizens to pay their Taxes. That is the price we pay for Society, I said, to some muffled laughs and guffaws.
Undeterred, I continued to explain the Founders of this Nation even authorized us to collect of Taxes to pay for something they called the "general welfare" -- you know, the things that we all share for the common good for everyone. Those who would shirk this responsibility as citizens really should read Article 1 - Section 8 of the Constitution, and think again. Re-evaluate their reasons for hating Taxes.
The water-cooler group grew quiet, now intently listening. So I continued, the only thing really up for debate is, What is the minimum basic level of civilization, that we as a society should expect, and be gladly willing to pay for?
Does our minimum threshold of civilization include things like:
Safe Road and Bridges?
Clean water and Power-lines?
Public Education for our children?
An assumption of Public Safety on our streets?
How about food for the Hungry?
Health care for the Sick?
A good Job for all who need one?
An internet and postal service to connect and empower us?
How about Retirement Insurance to forestall poverty in our old age?
Should our most basic level of society also include:
A Government that functions?
A Citizenry that is well-informed and involved?
A Nation that pulls together to pick up the pieces after Disaster strikes?
And yes even, a nation with Tax Collectors to help us, pay our national bills?
Because, those who would have us cast aside our obligation to pay the IRS, are really casting aside what the Founders were expecting, when they instructed us to provide for the general well-being our citizens. To build a better and more prosperous nation for the generations to follow and enjoy.
The water-cooler group nodded in agreement, at the simple progressive picture of American Democracy, I had drew them, in just a scant minute or two.
It seemed a simple enough idea. I hope I didn't leave any basic "threshold items" out. Because afterall those are what make America the place it is. The place that immigrants aspire to. The place that is always striving to make our national tent a bit bigger. Or at least, that's the place we once were, and should always strive to be again.
A place that welcomes ALL to life, liberty, and the pursuit ... a place were one's dreams were only limited by one's ambitions and hard work.
That place was founded on the premise that a basic level of society was worth establishing, worth building, and yes even worth paying for. A nation of equal opportunity is worth providing for -- such is the American Ideal. Or at least this is what it should be.
Society is worth having; and building; and worth improving.