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The tax cuts established by George Bush are set to expire at the end of this year, barring congressional action.

And despite the mountains of evidence showing that the tax cuts did not help the economy, that they did not spur investment and that they did nothing to stimulate the long term growth of the economy, many still believe that these cuts are crucial to the long-term survivability of the United States.

And why do people support this?

I believe much of this comes from an erroneous belief set.

Included in this is the idea that taxation, particularly a progressive taxation, is punishment for success.

Beyond the complete lack of merit in this idea, it also essentially suggests that taxes, if punishment, should be doled out solely to the poor.

And considering that being poor is essentially punishment in itself, excessive taxation is double jeopardy, and that’s unconstitutional.

This first belief also seems to coincide with the stereotypes that have evolved regarding the class issue in this society.

Namely, that being well-off is solely a product of someone working harder than the poor and working classes, and additionally, that the poor and working class are somehow lazy solely because they don’t make as much money.

While there certainly are some who are well-off who do work harder than others, that doesn’t make it analogous that if you are struggling financially it is solely because of work ethic.

Particularly in light that as a society, Americans work harder and more than any other country, despite the stagnation of the average wage during the last 30 years and particularly in regards to the CPI.

Secondly, despite all the talk of supporting small business, when the chips are down, the debate shows a widespread disdain for small business and perpetuates the idea that it is only the large companies that create jobs in this society.

We claim to support small business, yet it’s the small businesses that are struggling because their burden goes up while large companies maneuver around taxes and get large subsidies from cities solely to operate.

This situation reflects what is perhaps most crucial in this, in that taxation, while irritating for all, is unfortunately a necessary evil.

As Oliver Wendell Holmes stated, “I like paying taxes. With them comes civilization.”
And without taxation there would be no street lights so when I walk my dogs I can see where I’m going, no trash cans to keep the cities clean, no loans and grants to help students attend college, no firemen and no police, which apparently may be fine for the citizens of Colorado Springs.

But I believe it is a benefit of an advanced society to have a town that is both safe and enjoyable to be in for all citizens regardless of income. And that is the truth of the  situation.

Despite the tired rhetoric in which the rich are portrayed as the true heroes of society, the poor as lazy dregs and anyone who claims otherwise is somehow hateful of the rich, reality is that a progressive taxation policy is the only chance we have of allowing the average citizen to achieve the American Dream.


E-mail: mrstraw@indiana.edu