Chesterfield and Henrico to Cut Taxes
by Robert Russo
Last night’s proposed budget for the 2008 fiscal year in Chesterfield includes a real estate tax cut of five cents, the largest in decades, putting the tax rate back below the assessment value of property. This follows last year's cut of three cents, and an additional seven is advised to keep up with the rising market value. According to the budget leadership each cent equates to $3 million in county revenue.* Henrico will follow suit with a three cent cut and an additional four recommended.
It's hard to be a libertarian around tax time, though not necessarily harder than anyone else. I can personally attest to the surprise of a higher tax bracket with the same amount of income to pay it. Republicans are traditionally the promisers of tax cuts although for different reasons than ours. How do you take part in this imminent discussion and be heard when you are opposed to taxation itself?
The difference is in how people view the ship of state. It can’t sail without maintenance, and you don’t try to maintain a wreck. (In most of the old European kingdoms a nation-building monarch raised in disorder precedes his establishment-breaking son raised in tyranny, and so on.) Republicans and Democrats are maintainers, who fail to understand we are not talking about starting a system without taxes, without government, industry, health care or schools. Why do the deciders in any field continue to perpetuate the extinct theory on which their business was based, like no taxation without representation, or banking is an honest deal between a borrower and lender?
It is within a massive, stagnant institution that can take it that Libertarians and anarchists make their stand. Our economy is the world’s wealthiest, our military is the world’s strongest, our culture is the world’s most flexible. If this is not the time and place for revolution then what is?
*http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350176607&path=%21news&s=1045855934842
Question of the Week: What is the most proficient way to reduce taxes? Increase tax exemption, support Republican tax cuts, divert funds within the budget, increase private contributions, cut government spending, wait for market values to go up? Send your opinions to henrico@richmondliberty.org.
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