“We have given you a Republic. It remains to be seen if you will be able to retain it.”
The Subjugation of Our Constitutional Sovereignty
Americans have watched millions cross our southern border without penalty. The federal government and several states have mandated central planning of our energy development, production and distribution systems replacing two and one half centuries of free market innovation.
Now the federal government is contemplating ceding at least partial control of a most fundamental aspect of our constitutional republic: Tax Rates. This goes right to the heart of being a sovereign nation. As Benjamin Franklin asked in the quote above: Will we be able to retain this republic?
Who Will Set Our Tax Rates?
Over the last several years there has been discussion between the G20 member states regarding how corporate tax rates within individual countries affect international trade. As expected those states (EU) with high spending rates wish the lower rate countries to raise their corporate tax levels to even the competition. A 15% minimum corporate tax was floated as a means to level rates between the member states.
The Congress has resisted this effort since it would harm US corporations which currently enjoy lower tax rates than their EU trading partners. The current administration is embracing the concept thereby allowing tax code changes to proceed absent congressional approval.
“Taxation without representation is tyranny!”
The Revolutionary War was fought over numerous indignities suffered by the original states but the arbitrary nature of British taxes seems to have particularly riled the colonists. James Otis is credited with the famous quote above and his words are still an undeniable truth.
When we elect our own representatives to present our wishes to a governing body we are participating in the decision process. Delegating the process without voter participation via our duly elected congress is a return to tyranny.
Knowing the nature of our federal government, who doubts that if the G20 can set corporate tax rates that personal rates will also follow at some point? The Marxist dogma “From Each according to Ability; To Each according to Needs” starts becoming very real.
Taxes and Treaties – Who decides?
The 16th Amendment stipulates that Congress shall have the power to impose and collect taxes. Article II Section 2 assigns treaty power to joint agreement between the President and the Senate. It seems obvious that the imposition of corporate tax rates, particularly by foreign nations, cannot occur without the participation and approval of the House (16thA) and Senate (Article II Sec.2). The effort to even tax rates by the G20 is blatantly unconstitutional without the blessing of the House and the consent of the Senate since this is both a matter of taxation and treaty.
COSA encourages ALL US citizens to realize that the Constitution is very specific regarding how taxes and treaties are proposed and decided. Regardless of political or cultural alignments, please forge relationships with your town, city, county, and state representatives. Let your local officials know in a respectful manner that you expect dialogues with their federal colleagues to emphasize conformance on taxation and treaties with the Founders’ intentions.
