Mark Small

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

People love “free” things. As already noted, until the 1960s students in California did not pay tuition for college. In Indiana tuition at I.U., in the early 1970s for in-state students only was twenty dollars ($20) per credit hour. 11/24

Public colleges and universities in California in the 1960s had to pay salaries and wages for faculty and other personnel. Campuses needed buildings, that, once built, used utilities and required care and upkeep. Of course there are many other expenses. 12/24

These facts seem obvious, but R somehow overlooked when people talk about “free” college. Education: as much a part of our infrastructure as roads & bridges. No one would expect to use these resources w/o $ 4 construction and maintenance. 13/24