Mark Small

Taxes were central to early days of this country. Europeans were drawn here, in part, by “free” land. That people already occupied the land was an inconvenience. 3/24

Europeans called the indigenous peoples “Indians,” under the mistaken belief the “New World” was near India. The British monarchy had to pay a lot of money to secure its colonies in North America. 4/24

A big expense for the King was military here. British fought the French, the Spanish, and the people who already lived here. The price of the French & Indian War led to taxation that gave rise to Declaration of Independence. 5/24

When we read about taxes King George imposed on the Colonies, some miss important element of this taxation: settlers who enjoyed “free” land (occupied by fewer indigenous peoples) were beneficiaries of expenses fronted by England. 6/24

King George was insane - “The Madness of King George” is both graphic & accurate about him. There is no dispute that people who settled here were without representation, as colonists with members selected by colonists, in Parliament. 7/24

Amongst other laws, the 1765 Stamp Act imposed duties “on most court-sanctioned documents” and even “playing cards, dice ... and newspapers...” amongst other items. Ferling, “A Leap in the Dark,” 2003, p. 31. 8/24

The Boston Tea Party was a reaction to the 1773 Tea Act - the effect of which, actually, was to reduce taxes to the Colonies on tea. Ferling, p. 94. American history has been anti-tax. Colonists resented any taxation. 9/24

U.S. politicians only are popular if they promise “no” or lower taxes. Former VP Walter Mondale said he’d have to raise taxes. Mondale lost to Reagan who, in eight (8) years, increased the national deficit from $994 billion to $2.9 trillion. 10/24