HISTORY
BEFORE - the King gave a grant, then taxed the beneficiary,
and could take back what was given.
AFTER - the American Revolution changed all that -
establishing
individual rights to possessory interests and laws based upon principles of
fairness. In the United States, citizens enjoy
property rights, rights to redress
and representation, compensation for takings, elected
government officials, equal protection, and due process.
In the words
of our famous Founders ...
Taxation without representation is tyranny.
~ James Otis, 1725-1783.
Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as
well that which lies in various rights of individuals, as that
which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of
government, that alone is a just government, which impartially
secures to every man, whatever is his.
~ James Madison, 1782
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The power to tax is
the power to destroy.
U.S. Founders |
In free governments, the rulers are the servants and the people their
superiors and sovereigns. For the former to return among the latter is
not to degrade but to promote them.
~ Benjamin Franklin, 1787
I believe there are more instances of abridgement of the freedom of
people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by
sudden usurpations.
~ James Madison, 1788
In a word, as a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be
equally said to have a property in his rights.
~ James Madison 1792
As to Taxes, they are evidently inseparable from Government. It is
impossible without them to pay the debts of the nation, to protect it
from foreign danger, or to secure individuals from lawless violence
and rapine.
~ Alexander Hamilton, March 1801
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