Biden: Time To Be Patriotic (By Paying Taxes)

Anything to support the country when it is in obvious need of help if patriotic. Patriotism doesn't just include fighting a war.

Sent by KenG | 2:12 PM | 9-18-2008

If sending some of your money to help support and defend you nation isn't patriotic, then is joining the army to support and defend your country nothing more than having a violent streak?

Apparently for some people the only form of patriotism is a banality on a bumper sticker.

Sent by David Stewart | 2:14 PM | 9-18-2008

Taxation seems to me to be a useful tool for checking the balance of power in our economy and politics.

To just allow anyone to make unchecked sums of money is madness, for the same reason that giving the government the amount of money that we do is madness.

Money is a distillation of resources. And resource is power.

I disagree with conservatives who hold that taxation is always bad for the economy. Especially taxation of the rich. Businesses use their resources to HURT the free market.

Is raising taxes on the rich going to fix our economy? I can't see how that would be the case. Raising taxes isn't going to end the standing army. Raising taxes isn't going to end the failed idea of "the corporation". Raising taxes won't close the federal reserve and return us to the gold standard. Taxation won't re-instate usury laws.

Taxation can pay for social services for the populace. I don't know if that is what we need so much right now, as we need to cull out the destructive actors in our economy (corporations, banks, and war profiteers, and stock markets) and have our resources redistributed more equally throughout society.

Sent by Jody Sol | 2:18 PM | 9-18-2008

Democrats have been wimps on the issue of patriotism far too long - so much so that Republicans have been defining what is patriotic for decades. Imagine advocating a smaller and less effective government and being heralded as patriotic! At the same time, to protest our government's actions and policies has become un-American (if a republican is in office).

Sent by Vic | 3:29 PM | 9-18-2008

I don't like taxes and I hate pseudo-patriotism and its idolatrous symbols (flags, pledges,hands on chests, taking hats off, national anthems) even more. It is probably a stupid thing for Biden to say, because the Republicans will pounce on it driving fear--but technically, there is no GREATER WAY to show one's love of country than to FUND it. It is like TITHING in a church. Most preachers demand that worshippers GIVE GIVE GIVE as EVIDENCE of one's FAITH in GOD. TAXES are much the same thing. In fact TITHING WAS A TAX for the biblical HEBREWS.

Sent by massai | 4:14 PM | 9-18-2008

I view taxes and economic and social investments. What I love about this country is not its power but rather its capacity to improve lives. What do I get for my taxes? For example, if 50% of my local tax revenue goes to schools and they rank in the bottom decimal that's not a good return. The federal government takes in sufficent funds to improve education (teacher salaries, infrastructure, resources, cirriculum, after school programs) but they would rather spend it elsewhere (Middle East. Where are we at now, 0.8 trillion and counting? When I see a government worthy of the investment I will have no problem showing patriotism with tax dollars. Perhaps Barak will be that leader, until then let me keep my money so I can invest (through charity) as I see fit.

Sent by robert | 4:25 PM | 9-18-2008

Why do so many people not understand that in this endless presidential campaign (what's it been, about four years now?), it is all about "gotcha" moments. Each side lies about what the other side says nearly every day. A recent study shows that Obama leads McCain in thatdepartment, but both sides are guilty. Enough!

Sent by Owl Creek Observer | 4:34 PM | 9-18-2008

It's a shame that the average American doesn't understand Social Contract Theory. Perhaps if they had a better understanding of it, they'd be less touchy about paying taxes. After all, they've agreed to the basic premises of it already, without realizing it, simply by participating in modern, civilized society.

Of course, if they could also reign in their attachment to conspicuous consumption and simplify their lives a bit more, they'd probably mind paying taxes a lot less, too.

On the whole, Biden's comment about paying taxes is most certainly patriotic, and it's kind of sad that it's so risky to say something like that during an election. It's unfortunate that people expect government to be everything they want it to be - whether that means big, small, intrusive, unobtrusive, protective, providing, not providing, respecting of privacy, or what have you - without contributing their fair share to it.

Sent by jonathon, pdx | 8:53 PM | 9-18-2008

I think that the essay Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau provides the best explanation of why paying taxes is patriotic. McCain was a very bad student so maybe he does not remember it in highschool.

I think it was one of the things Mayor Palin wanted banned from the library in her town.

Sent by Christopher M. Brown | 11:31 PM | 9-18-2008

Biden makes a perfectly powerful remark regarding the basic patriotism of paying taxes, and Sarah Palin wins applause for ridiculing the very notion. What I expect and hope Biden will do IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS is to vigorously and emphatically reiterate his remark and call her on her ridicule, which so far has been Palin's strongest asset in front of adoring crowds.

Sent by George | 8:53 AM | 9-19-2008

Good comment Jonathon, pdx. I am not familiar with the formal points of 'Social Contract Theory'. I'll guess that it does not advocate carte blanche. As a contract there is an agreement implied. How is the language of the theory stated to satisfy someone like me who would like to see a reasonable return on my tax dollar. Cheers.

Sent by robert | 11:43 AM | 9-19-2008