How Fair are our Current Tax Laws?

Make no mistake about it, our current political system is driven exclusively by money and power.

Courtesy: News Real Blog

(HARRISVILLE, N.H.) - Who do our current tax laws favor? Clearly, some taxpayers should be paying more in taxes... certainly at least their fair share!

There is no doubt that there are rules that create gross inequities built right into our current tax laws. The loopholes that have been built into our tax laws are egregious and every taxpayer with the exception of large corporations should find them offensive.

According to an AP article published on August 12, 2008, “Two-thirds of U.S. corporations paid no federal income taxes between 1998 and 2005, according to a new report from Congress”. Please take note of the underlined portion of that quote.

This fact was gleaned from a report created by Congress. This raises the question of why, when Congress itself reported on this issue, has nothing been done to close the loopholes.

It is likely that the army of lobbyists, who scurry around the halls of Congress like vermin in a chicken coop, have a great deal to do with the fact that nothing has been done by Congress. The sole purpose of these individuals is to tilt the table heavily in favor of the special interests they represent.

It saddens me to say it but that is only part of the problem. The other (and possibly larger) piece of the problem is with Congress itself and many of those who warm the seats there.

Power tends to be an intoxicating beverage to many of those who partake and once that brew passes their lips, they will stop at nothing to continue the binge. “Re-election at any cost” seems to become their motto and the special interest groups represented by the lobbyists are only too willing to buy the favors being sold by Congress and thus help them make that motto reality.

Crop after crop of freshmen Congressmen are taken under the wing of the more senior members and become addicted. The initial focus and goals held by these freshmen Congressmen change with the ever-shifting winds of our political system and with the strong tidal influence exerted by the ever-present special interest groups.

Make no mistake about it, our current political system is driven exclusively by money and power. Money pays the price to sway elections through advertising and media air time, while power commands the thrust and direction of both of the major political parties. Nothing else seems to matter to the politicians in our country except getting re-elected (thereby retaining power) and money (to finance re-election efforts).

Is the Tea Party the answer? I seriously doubt it because all indicators point to the probability that it is already has a head-start down the same road that corrupted both of the major political parties.

Believing that something could be done to change our political system into one that is truly oriented toward being “of the people, by the people, and for the people” (as I believe it was originally intended) is a beautiful dream . . . however, it is only a dream and one we wake-up from all too frequently... but, that is just my opinion!

Writer Robert Collinsworth is an American who isn't hesitant to talk about the good side of his country, and that is a welcome thing in this day and age. Salem-News.com admittedly, is very critical of both American politics, as well as those of other nations that we perceive is being wrong in their motives and actions. At the same time, within these structures we criticize, are many outstanding people who make each day a better place for all those around them. They embody and personify the American spirit that is sometimes fleeting, but always present. These are some of the things Robert takes into account when writing commentary that is designed reach people, to "get them thinking" in his words, and indeed it does. Salem-News.com's goal is for all people to be on the same page, we appreciate Bob's more conservative approach toward that same goal."

You can write to Bob Collingsworth at this email address: colli2@webryders.net