Aversion to Taxation Begins Early - With Good Cause

As the remaining Republican candidates attempt to differentiate themselves by, among other attributes, the percentage of their taxed income they pay to the Republic, I again witnessed a tax revolt as vehement and over-the-top as any tea-partying, South Carolina governor could muster. No, I wasn't at a Governor Haley rally in Charleston. And, no, I didn't time travel back to 18th-century Boston for that tea party, nor did I go back to medieval England for the signing of Magna Carta.

In fact, I didn't even have to leave the classroom I am privileged to teach in each day. Students have the opportunity in my class to experientially learn about economies, including their roles (jobs, business creation, etc.) and responsibilities (rent, taxes, etc.) in the economy. Each has a job which brings in a salary, and each pays rent for their desk—it's never too early to learn how to make ends meet and how to get ahead. Some even learn how to limit consumption and to save and invest, which allows them to collect rents from other student desks and get on the property ladder!

All students, as of this week, begin to pay tax. Taxation is purposely delayed until this point in the year to maximize the "push back" against it, which becomes quite predictable through the years. Four things happen immediately afterwards. 

First, one of the generally unassuming, but diligent, students publicly questions the justification for the imposition of the tax. Second, slogans and banners begin to appear throughout the classroom. Third, a recruiting effort to the cause ensues and the class is largely united. Fourth, an intense lobbying effort is directed towards me to lower or abolish the tax.

At this point I couldn't be more proud of the class, and especially the leaders of the "revolt" who mobilize the others and fight the "authority." Not because their aversion to taxes is completely justified (I explain that much-needed services are provided with taxes), but that they have a fundamentally sound understanding of the nature of our polity.

As President Abraham Lincoln captured so eloquently at the close of the Gettysburg Address: this nation is based on the idea of "government of the people, by the people, for the people." Tax policy, and any other policy that affects their lives and property, must be developed with their consent and not simply imposed upon them. Sounds fair to me!