03 February 2016

How Times Have Changed (Edited, With an Explanation)

“I want the people of America to be able to work less for the government, and more for themselves. I want them to have the rewards of their own industry. This is the chief meaning of freedom. Until we can reestablish a condition under which the earnings of the people can be kept by the people, we are bound to suffer a very severe and distinct curtailment of our liberty.” 

~ President Calvin Coolidge, speaking in favor of a national income tax (before there was one; the nation was a hodge-podge of differing tax rates, and the argument FOR a tax was that the federal government could level the playing field for interstate commerce, and lessen individual tax burdens while still providing revenue for the government to provide its essential services.)



"We don't have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much"  

~ President Ronald Reagan, speaking on lowering taxes (and reducing spending)

7 comments:

ProudHillbilly said...

I'm confused. How is the first statement FOR a tax?

Old NFO said...

I don't get it either...

Rev. Paul said...

PH & NFO, I'll edit the post.

Guffaw in AZ said...

"...for the government to provide its essential services"

And WHO determines what is essential?

I noticed when D.C. shut down, it didn't affect me, in the short term, anyway...

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

Guffaw, that would refer to the Constitutionally-mandated things like border protection, etc. And ONLY those.

ProudHillbilly said...

Ah, I get it. He'd be dissapointed.

ProudHillbilly said...

Ah, I get it. He'd be dissapointed.