10 Things I Hate About Taxes #2: Newspeak
ByThis is the second article in a series on taxation leading up to Tax Day, April 15.
In George Orwell’s incredible work Nineteen Eighty-Four, Ingsoc has brainwashed society into accepting their government through the mutilation of language, such as in the government’s motto: “Freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength, war is peace.” Orwell calls it Newspeak. Comic book author Alan Moore gave this linguistic phenomena in V for Vendetta the particularly eery religious overtone of clerical fascism embedded in England’s propaganda: “Strength through Purity, Purity through Faith.” (Note this is different from the movie version which replaces purity with unity.)
Governments manipulate language for their own purposes constantly. It allows them to circumvent truth in the public square (at least to the unobservant eye and ear). Whenever you hear a politician say, “Mistakes were made…” you can be 100% certain that they are dodging responsibility.
This is most perfectly exemplified in government’s first order of business: taxation. In fact, the very notion of taxes masks the truth of the matter, that taxation equals theft. But the government goes even farther in the corruption of nomenclature…
They claim their confiscation is a “service” and that we victims are their “customers.” As if I agreed and wished this upon myself. As if I am engaging in peaceful trade with them. Rubbish.
They call the loot they plunder “contributions” and “obligations.” A contribution is willingly given, an obligation is willingly traded. But if taxation is coercive then these are nothing short of non sequiturs.
Can you imagine the self-delusion the IRS and Congress must inflict upon themselves to justify their actions? “Oh, we have to convince them that this is what they want [read: we're too dumb to see it their way] so we must recast this into a positive light…” Perhaps bureaucrats and politicians are well-intentioned, but the well-intentioned thief is still a thief.
These are just four examples of taxation Newspeak. Can you name some more?
Amazingly, upon reflection you cannot help but have some semblance of respect for burglars and robbers. As my friend Bryan says, “At least they’re not deceitful or patronizing about what it is that they’re doing.”
The next time you encounter those who believe the lie, call evil by it’s name.
Thanks to Bryan, head admin of the Christian Libertarian Yahoo Group, for inspiring this installment. He is a dear friend and I wish him every blessing.
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Calling their plunder “revenue.”
And I almost forgot “relief!”
“Tax relief”
“Gas prices relief”
“Tuition relief”
Tax “refund”
How about the “voluntary” nature of the income tax? I wrote about this here. Last I checked (last time I did a paper return), the IRS as well referred to it as “voluntary” in the introduction to the 1040.
I forgot to add, I would like to be a member of the Christian Libertarian Yahoo group, but as I live overseas I find the signup rigmarole a little too much. Is there a shortcut since I have a friend on the inside?
What gets me is that any small reduction in taxes is referred to as a “handout” or “corporate welfare”. How dare someone try to keep some of their own money?
Nice examples of Newspeak, Patrick. LOL @ “revenues” — as though they earned it…
Greg, I can try to send a straight-up invite to the group for you, but I’m not sure if that will circumvent the rigmarole. I think the main barrier is that you need a Yahoo account.
Shaggy! Nice to see you found the site. Good point, although you might add that in general libertarians desire to see taxes eliminated for EVERYONE across the board and not just for a privileged few.
[...] 10 Things I Hate About Taxes #2: Newspeak [...]
It’s so sad and frustrating that people believe this stuff.
The other day in one of my university classes a classmate commented that it is “beautiful” that everyone “contributes” taxes for the benefit of his neighbour.
When I pointed out the absurdity of calling violence and coercion beautiful, she replied that my “attitude” re taxes was unhelpful, as if it’s an “attitude” that men with guns will come to your door should you cease to “contribute”
“Taxes” should be termed “stolen goods”.
Here’s another 95 ways to “steal”.
http://www.chuckypita.com/95-ways-uncle-sam-taxes-your-wealth-into-oblivion/
If the people you voted into office are not performing in the manner in which you would like, you should have either voted differently or run for office.
As the t-shirt says, “Don’t blame me, I voted Ron Paul…”
But moreover, you shouldn’t have to ASK not to be aggressed against, you SHOULD be able to live your life the way you choose insofar as you do not aggress against others. So you shouldn’t begrudge anyone who chooses either not to participate in a crooked system either by not voting or not voting for office.
“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.” — J.Q. Adams
“A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.” — Thomas Jefferson
“Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.” — Benjamin Franklin
None of these men could have dreamed that the foundation they laid would someday deteriorate to “Everything is OK, as long as we voted for the guy who does it.” Oh how far we have come …
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