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July 04, 2006

Why we Revolted

The conventional story, of course, is that America could not stand the burden of taxation. This is not untrue, but misses everything important. Ezra makes this same mistake...

The point we have to keep in mind is that by 1775 His Majesty’s North American Colonies were a part of a world-wide empire. This empire was run for and by the convenience of His Imperial Majesty. The only check on his power was that money was granted to him by the Parliament...

The roots of antagonism spread back to the 7 Years war. The American colonist wanted the War in order to protect themselves against the French-allied Indian Tribes—and thereby have an easier time of spreading into Indian-held Ohio. The Crown wanted the war to increase his own world-wide dominion...

The end of the war saw American blood spilled—but the objective for which they fought was denied to them. The Proclamation line of 1763 seemed to put a halt to westward expansion. And then the British crown imposed Taxes to pay for the whole thing...

This is the colonial complaint about taxation without representation. They had been asked to fight a war, then-- after being denied the spoils of said war-- pay for it. They were asked to pay for it because no one who had a voice in Parliament wanted to...

Puerto Ricans and Washingtonians are asked to pay the same federal taxes everyone else in the country is—and whatever local taxes they themselves decide on (another right denied the colonial Americans). The day congress pass a series of taxes designed to make them pay for the Iraq war they will both have some grounds for secession...

Posted by Andrew at July 4, 2006 01:12 PM

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Comments

Puerto Ricans do not pay federal income taxes on locally generated income.

See here which states:

"Residents of the Commonwealth pay no federal income tax on locally generated earnings, but Puerto Rico government income-tax rates are set at a level that closely parallels federal-plus-state levies on the mainland."

Posted by: Jody [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 6, 2006 01:15 PM

Fascinating! And good to know. And kind of strengthens my point with respect to Ezra...

Posted by: Andrew Cory [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 6, 2006 01:16 PM