Bondage
Another, non partisan crossover post. Don't worry, plenty of red meat here. So let me begin by talking about taxes, and slavery.
When the colonies rebelled, it was because taxes that equaled less than 10% of income were levied against the colonists. Much, much less. The number varies, and the more or a "professional" type you were, the more the taxes were. So, they had an armed revolution because of those taxes, and, granted, other things. I guess that I should include that the "shot heard round the world" was due to the British marching on Lexington and Concord to confiscate their arms. But mostly "taxation without representation".
Today, in some states, between federal, state, city, and other taxes, you can pay OVER 50% of your income to the various governing bodies. OVER 50%! Maybe even more than 60%. Is it any wonder people are leaving those high tax states?
I was reviewing for the lesson in Sunday School this week. It is out of the Book of Mormon, studying Mosiah, specifically, the history of the people of Zeniff, who had gone back to reclaim their inheritance from the Lamanites. Chapter 7:22
22 And all this he did, for the sole purpose of bringing this people into subjection or into bondage. And behold, we at this time do pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks and our herds; and even one half of all we have or possess the king of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.
This was Limhi, the new King, explaining their plight to Ammon. Note the terms he uses. Bondadge, tribute, and what is the alternative? Death. So, they felt they were in bondage by paying half of their income in taxes.
Now don't tell me that the IRS isn't going to exact a capital punishment for not paying taxes. Nope, you will just go before an unelected, unappointed tax judge, who can put you into prison, for who knows how long, if you don't comply.
Our problems are only going to get worse. Social Security is already bankrupt, and will be out of even pretend money much sooner than anyone predicts. Medicare is in even worse shape. These were social contracts with "we the people", and unbeknownst to most, those contracts are not guaranteed. In fact, in regards to Social Security, the Supreme Court has already ruled on it, regarding payouts. Congress can change the formula, they can change who gets what, or maybe, just kill it, and there is no recourse. Courts have already determined that.
You might ask, why I mention Social Security, or Medicare. Quick. What are the number one, and number two spending items in the Federal Budget?
1. Health and Human Services
2. Social Security
3. Military
4 Debt payments.
Surprised? Most are. We hear all the time about military spending, and yet it is number 3, soon to be 4, as when interest rates start going up, the debt is going to go through the roof. In just years down the road, HHS, Social Security, and Interest, will take up the entire federal budget. Then what? We will have become slaves to the debt, and to the debtors. We will truly be at their mercy. Truly in bondage. And we will be paying a lot more than 50%.
Revolutionary War? Less than 10%. Today? 50%? Oh well.
When the colonies rebelled, it was because taxes that equaled less than 10% of income were levied against the colonists. Much, much less. The number varies, and the more or a "professional" type you were, the more the taxes were. So, they had an armed revolution because of those taxes, and, granted, other things. I guess that I should include that the "shot heard round the world" was due to the British marching on Lexington and Concord to confiscate their arms. But mostly "taxation without representation".
Today, in some states, between federal, state, city, and other taxes, you can pay OVER 50% of your income to the various governing bodies. OVER 50%! Maybe even more than 60%. Is it any wonder people are leaving those high tax states?
I was reviewing for the lesson in Sunday School this week. It is out of the Book of Mormon, studying Mosiah, specifically, the history of the people of Zeniff, who had gone back to reclaim their inheritance from the Lamanites. Chapter 7:22
22 And all this he did, for the sole purpose of bringing this people into subjection or into bondage. And behold, we at this time do pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks and our herds; and even one half of all we have or possess the king of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.
This was Limhi, the new King, explaining their plight to Ammon. Note the terms he uses. Bondadge, tribute, and what is the alternative? Death. So, they felt they were in bondage by paying half of their income in taxes.
Now don't tell me that the IRS isn't going to exact a capital punishment for not paying taxes. Nope, you will just go before an unelected, unappointed tax judge, who can put you into prison, for who knows how long, if you don't comply.
Our problems are only going to get worse. Social Security is already bankrupt, and will be out of even pretend money much sooner than anyone predicts. Medicare is in even worse shape. These were social contracts with "we the people", and unbeknownst to most, those contracts are not guaranteed. In fact, in regards to Social Security, the Supreme Court has already ruled on it, regarding payouts. Congress can change the formula, they can change who gets what, or maybe, just kill it, and there is no recourse. Courts have already determined that.
You might ask, why I mention Social Security, or Medicare. Quick. What are the number one, and number two spending items in the Federal Budget?
1. Health and Human Services
2. Social Security
3. Military
4 Debt payments.
Surprised? Most are. We hear all the time about military spending, and yet it is number 3, soon to be 4, as when interest rates start going up, the debt is going to go through the roof. In just years down the road, HHS, Social Security, and Interest, will take up the entire federal budget. Then what? We will have become slaves to the debt, and to the debtors. We will truly be at their mercy. Truly in bondage. And we will be paying a lot more than 50%.
Revolutionary War? Less than 10%. Today? 50%? Oh well.
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