A person doesn't realize that they are lost, until it's too late.
We have allowed our elected officials to put in place a myriad of 'Departments' that are charged with creating law and rules and enforcing those laws and rules with a nationwide agenda. These agencies operate with little to no oversight, unless they screw up. Drug enforcement engage in raids in states that have adopted softer drug laws on things such as cannabis, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms engage individuals whom they deem a threat (look up Ruby Ridge). Local law enforcement stand by the Constitution and swear to uphold the law. Federal law enforcement swoop in indiscriminately and apply their form of justice as they see fit.
This is the government of the 21 century. We are creating, piece by piece, a totalitarian society. We aren't yet realizing that we are losing, because it's a gradual erosion. The government currently has it's hand in just about all aspects of our monetary system and slowly gaining ground on all aspects of social life as well. When I speak about all encompassing governmental control, people say I'm talking crazy. That it can't happen here.
IT ALREADY HAS.
Current list of only 100 different taxes on the people of the United States, be advised that this is just a drop in the bucket. Many of you know of many different ways our government DEMANDS payment.
Here are the 100:
-
Personal/Consumer Taxes & Fees
- Federal income tax
- State income tax
- Local income tax
- Employee social security tax (your employer pays the other half)
- Employee Medicare tax (your employer pays the other half)
- Property taxes
- Road toll charges
- State sales tax
- Driver's license renewal fee
- TV Cable/Satellite fees & taxes
- Federal telephone surtax, excise tax, and universal surcharge
- State telephone excise tax and surcharge
- Telephone minimum usage and recurring/nonrecurring charges tax
- Gas/electric bill fees & taxes
- Water/sewer fees & taxes
- Cigarette tax
- Alcohol tax
- Federal gasoline tax
- State gasoline tax
- Local gasoline tax
- Federal inheritance tax
- State inheritance tax
- Gift tax
- Bridge toll charges
- Marriage license
- Hunting license
- Fishing license
- Bike license fee
- Dog permit/license
- State park permit
- Watercraft registration & licensing fees
- Sports stadium tax
- Bike/nature trail permit
- Court case filing fee
- Retirement account early withdrawal penalty
- Individual health insurance mandate tax
- Hotel stay tax
- Plastic surgery surcharge
- Soda/fatty-food tax
- Air transportation tax
- Electronic transmission of tax return fees
- Passport application/renewal fee
- Luxury & gas-guzzler car taxes
- New car surcharge
- License plate and car ownership transfer taxes
- Yacht and luxury boat taxes
- Jewelry taxes & surcharges
- State/local school tax
- Recreational vehicle tax
- Special assessments for road repairs or construction
- Gun ownership permit
- Kiddie tax (IRS form 8615)
- Fuel gross receipts tax
- Waste Management tax
- Oil and gas assessment tax
- Use taxes (on out-of-state purchase)
- IRA rollover tax/withdrawal penalties
- Tax on non-qualified health saving account distributions
- Individual and small business surtax (page 336 of Obamacare)
- Estimated income tax underpayment penalty
- Alternative Minimum Tax on income
Business Taxes & Fees
- Federal corporate income tax
- State corporate income tax
- Tax registration fee for new businesses
- Employer social security tax
- Employer Medicare tax
- Federal unemployment tax
- State unemployment tax
- Business registration renewal tax
- Worker's compensation tax
- Tax on imported/exported goods
- Oil storage/inspection fees
- Employer health insurance mandate tax
- Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals (page 2001/Sec. 9007 of Obamacare)
- Tax on Innovator Drug Companies (Page 2010/Sec. 9008 of Obamacare)
- Tax on Medical Device Manufacturers (Page 2020/Sec. 9009 of Obamacare)
- Tax on Health Insurers (Page 2026/Sec. 9010 of Obamacare)
- Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans, i.e. "Cadillac" plans
- Tax on indoor tanning services
- Utility users tax
- Internet transaction fee (passed in California; being considered in other states and at federal level)
- Professional license fee (accountants, lawyers, barbers, dentists, plumbers, etc.)
- Franchise business tax
- Tourism and concession license fee
- Wiring inspection fees
- Household employment tax
- Biodiesel fuel tax
- FDIC tax (insurance premium on bank deposits)
- Electronic waste recycling fee
- Hazardous material disposal fee
- Food & beverage license fee
- Estimated income tax underpayment penalty
- Building/construction permit
- Zoning permit
- Fire inspection fee
- Well permit tax
- Sales and Use tax seller's permit
- Commercial driver's license fee
- Bank ATM transaction tax
- Occupation taxes and fees (annual charges required for a host of professions)
This from a politician that promised no new taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 a year. Gotta give him credit, he's consistent in one thing...LYING. And he's damn good at it. Now he's even going after the liberals coveted entitlement programs. Cutting Social Security and Medicare. I guess he doesn't live by the old adage that 'you don't crap where you eat', cause he's crapping on the liberal agenda with that move. Some pundits are claiming that he's trying to find middle ground with the Republicans. That is unfortunate, I don't believe conservatives want to cut Social Security, as a fiscal conservative, I'd rather see it better managed so that the people that truly need it get it and it is made fiscally solid for generations to come.
What do we do? The government has become what it tries to destroy: Too Big To Fail. Entitlements (welfare makes up a huge portion of this and yes there is a difference between entitlements and welfare.) have grown to 61.9% of the national budget. A sharp hiccup in this number will create mass pandemonium. Can you imagine how quickly the people that are feigning injury and infirmity to get disability would come screaming? The people that rely on food stamps, TANF, medicaid/medicare and all other forms of welfare would flip. This day is coming...the money ain't going to last forever. If another technology doesn't come forth soon, there will be no recovery this time. Look to the past. All recoveries were driven by a new technology. Go ahead, look it up...I'll be here when you get back.
For some stupid reason, the liberals have a twisted idea of how the economy works. Economics aren't the most difficult thing to understand. A person or a business provides a good or service. People pay for that good or service and if the good or service they provide is great, then demand goes up. People and businesses expand and in order to provide the save level of good or service they hire. More jobs, more money. If they continue to provide a good or service that is needed they survive. If not, they adapt or die. The government takes and takes and gives us very little return on our investment. It takes in money from someone that worked hard for it and gives it to someone that doesn't. "Good enough for government work" wasn't just a joke, it was something that was said because of the way people view the operational efficiency of the government. If anyone, anywhere, ran a business like the Obama administration is currently running our government, they would be arrested, locked up, and bankrupt.
We can not continue to sell our children's future. I'll keep running my mouth as long as I can, but I fear the gun grab is only the tip of the iceberg. Freedom of speech will eventually be only afforded to "Friends of the State" and my voice will be silenced. Again, I'm crazy right? Ask Bob Woodward and Lanny Davis, both Democrats but spoke out in criticism of the Obama administration. Both men were chastised and told they would 'regret' speaking out in opposition. "These are the times that try men's souls." Thomas Paine.
That's my two cents, spend 'em or put 'em in the dish for the next person.
