Crispus Attucks Must Be Rolling In His Grave

After he sacrificed his very life for the creation of this nation some bozos with latent race issues want to make light of our history. So I've been hearing rhetoric on the so-called Christian networks - and right-wing radio/tv - about how the Obama administration is engaging in socialism by spending "our" money doing "God knows what". Our new President is supposedly also going against the traditions set by his predecessors so they have the right to rebel. 

Now there is some legitimate frustration of how the government spends our tax dollars. I don't like the military budget or the support of certain nations to the extent of the amount of aid they get. I'd like teachers who do their jobs well to earn double their current salaries at least. There is a huge wealth imbalance in this country where those most able to support the country are not paying their fair share of taxes. There are numerous tax codes written specifically to help those high-income/asset owners to actually pay a much smaller percentage than they should. That's assuming we're all on an even plane and life is always fair, but that's not the case.

It is the poor(er) folks in this country that are actually buckling under the weight of burden. The infrastructure needs rebuilding and many basic services that would ease the day to day needs of people are necessary and they come from taxes. So to hear about these Tax Day Tea Party events where a majority of disgruntled white men are coming together to protest paying taxes has me feeling somewhat aggravated. There's something else going on here besides concern about passing debt onto future generations. For me it comes down to timing and why these people didn't seem concerned about the national debt as it ballooned from a "surplus" to redlined to total catastrophe during the Bush administration. They also ignore the corporations that are hiding funds in off-shore accounts and don't pay anything. Since these people are usually war hawks don't they care about the private contractors that aren't paying taxes either?

There is also discussion amongst some LGBTs about protesting paying taxes when they don't have all the legal rights they want. I understand the frustration. I have a sneaking suspicion these Tax Day Party tax dodgers are also opposed to gender equality, trans-rights, immigration, abortion and a host of other things many of us deem as necessities for the betterment of society and the exercise of one's personal freedom. So I wonder if these people realize they are only selling themselves short by being so stingy. One day they may be in a situation where they'd need a "gov't handout" and would want compassion. 

All of this anger should be a legitimate concern for those of us seriously concerned about the direction of this country. It makes critiquing the President so much more difficult when we have to fend off the racists, militants and obstructionists. It's also very tiring having to be so diligent about addressing these potentially serious threats. Finally, I think they're being selective in biblical principle by ignoring what the Gospels showed Jesus taught about paying taxes. There's really no confusion about it. Per Matthew 22:15-22

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.