The original intent of our nation’s Founding Fathers was to finance the federal government through tariffs.
The original Constitution reserved the taxation of individuals to the States.
Upon ratification of the 16th Amendment, the federal government no longer relied on tariffs for funding. The individual income tax now funds the federal government.
The current population of the United States is approximately 346,027,869 as of October 28, 2024.
As reported by the Government Executive website, “IRS plans to hire 20,000 employees in fiscal 2024, boosting its total workforce from its current level of 90,000. The agency had just 79,000 employees on board at the end of fiscal 2022. The Biden administration has said the boosted resources will enable IRS to improve customer service and enforcement on wealthy individuals and corporations.”
169,000 IRS employees for 346,027,869 people calculates to approximately 1 IRS employee per 2,048 persons. Large corporations have legions of certified accountants and on-staff lawyers. Many wealthy Americans pay zero income tax. This happens because of legislated write-offs. A wealthy taxpayer often has deductions greater than their tax liabilities.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan warned, “The size of the Federal budget is not an appropriate barometer of social conscience or charitable concern.” Later, in 1986, Reagan observed, “Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.“
The 16th Amendment eroded the sovereignty of the states. For this reason, the Republican Party of Texas Platform includes plank 7. (c), “Support the repeal or the nullification of the 16th Amendment (Federal Income Tax).”
A repeal of the 16th Amendment can be proposed by either Congress or by a Convention of States, as per Article V of the Constitution. Regardless of the source of the proposal, all amendments are “ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress.“
By the way, God requires only a 10% tax.
References:
- US Constitution of 1787 original text
- Article V of the Constitution
- Convention of States
- Texas State Republican Party 2024 Platform
- Plank 24 (page 7) – Article 5 Convention of States: The Texas Legislature shall extend the call for a Convention of States to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
John N. White 