Taxing of Civil Rights - Pros and Cons - Literature review Example

The Taxing of Civil Rights We all live with the understanding that certain rights are automatically granted to us from the time we are born in this country. The right to think freely, speak freely, and choose what religion you will practice or not to practice, and the right to our property and privacy; we have laws that validate these rights when they are violated. These are the kind of inalienable rights, human rights, guaranteed to all citizens as promised in the Constitution of the United States. ("The charters of," 2012) But, what if you fell into a category within society where those rights and the laws that protect them did not apply to you. This is where Civil Rights bridge the Constitution to make certain that those who were previously excluded from the Human Rights that existed, to guarantee they would not be overlooked any longer. The fight for those Civil Rights was a long and difficult road that still to this day remains a struggle because there are always new issues to replace the old. Civil Rights continue to deal with issues of race and religion, as well as, sexual preference and marriage and age discrimination. Overall the arena of Civil Rights is one of social concern it is rarely related directly to economical issues. So it may sound a bit unusual to discuss taxes in relation to the Civil Rights issues, but there is a certain amount of overlay. Taxes were designed as monies taken legally by the government from the citizens to participate in the funding of this country that we live in and enjoy. However, what happen when the taking of those taxes contradict the personal Civil Rights of individuals forcing citizens to financially participate in government endeavors that subverts their Civil Rights? It can happen and may continue to do so. That being said, it is entirely possible for taxes to violate the Civil Rights of the citizens of the United States. When this country was founded it was operated by wealthy, white male citizens. The rights they granted, primarily, benefited them, socially, politically, and economically. They were, by no means, malicious in their construct, but they were self-servingly inclusive. They excluded women. They excluded African Americans who were held in captivity and property for generations, as well as alienating other minority groups throughout time. P.B. Levy in his book “The Civil Rights Movement” gave a chronological list of all the incredible work done to gain Civil Rights for all the people who live in this country. From the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 to the ratifying of the Thirteenth(1865), Fourteenth(1868), and Fifteenth(1870) amendments; as well as all the struggles suffered well into the 60’s personifies the importance of Civil Rights to the American people.(Levy, 1998) Another resource of relevance gives examples of the African American struggle in the southern states. Much of the Civil Right movement’s strongest fights, both legally and physically, occurred there. It is important that their efforts are not forgotten or diminished in the eyes of history. (Brown-Nagin, 2011) So with a country that is committed so deeply to Civil Rights it may be surprising to some Americans to discover how certain taxing could be a violation of those rights. In Chris Edwards’s article, “Top Ten Civil Liberties Abuses of the Income Tax, explains how the way that our income tax is paid and the process by which is handled is violating our Civil rights in several ways. He says that by being required to disclose our yearly income and related information under the penalty of perjury places individuals in an awkward legal positions. However, not to give all information requested or not to file will leave one with the consequences of inaccuracy or penalties for failure to file. This, according to Edwards, is a sacrifice of our right to not self-incriminate. This information can be released by the IRS for non-tax related matters. He further explains that the fact that certain citizens are held to different taxing entirely based on their income, their marital status, number of children, and an unending and innumerable total of variant deductions designed for some and not others. That this ‘vertical” or “horizontal” inequalities which are violating the rights of Americans. There are, also, issues in the IRS capability to access and search personal information without the need for probable cause as in all other legal arenas. The proof is found in the…” many examples of abusive IRS searches and seizures that were revealed in U.S. Senate hearings in 1997.”(Edwards, 2002). It would seem logical that many of these IRS tax inequalities and civil right violations could be greatly reduced by changing the tax system to an acceptable equal amount with far less deductions, variations, and exemptions. Much more recently a new health care plan implemented by President Obama has raised many tax related and Civil Rights issues that most certainly cannot be ignored. The plan famously, or infamously dependent upon your view, called “Obamacare,” is going to require all Americans to purchase a healthcare plan if they do not then they will be fined at tax time. This raises a lot of red flags. It, also, does not help that despite the Supreme Court’s ruling that it does qualify as tax, supporters continue to press that it is a mandate, not a tax.(Klukowski, 2012) If “Obamacare” is implemented then it will violate the Civil Rights of many Americans, calling it a tax only guarantees that. There are religious organizations in this country that do not believe in seeking medical care under any circumstance. Asking them to pay for health insurance that they will never use is an affront to their rights. To then fine them for not doing so, is again a disregard for their spiritual beliefs. Now we may not share these beliefs or even understand them, but we cannot negate them. The Catholic communities are, also, highly concerned with “Obamacare.” They are worried because their religion cannot abide supporting a healthcare initiative that supports subjects like contraception and birth control. We do not have to be a Catholic to realize that there is a serious disregard for the religious beliefs which should be protected. There are several Civil Rights violations in store for Americans, both, related to taxation and to the ethical issues involved. In the end, in order for the Civil Rights that have been fought for to continue to withstand the test of time is for Americans not to allow the Civil Rights of others to be violated. Are we in need of tax reforms? Absolutely. However, that does not mean that citizens should not contribute to the welfare of this country. It is definitely time to reevaluate any policy if the presence of Civil Rights violations is being perceived. Is this country in desperate need of healthcare reform? Again, absolutely. However, “Obamacare” may not be the right kind of reform. There are too many obvious, potential, and probable Civil Rights violations present in the policy that it is not worth implementing. Once upon a time a disagreeable tax contributed to the Revolution of this country. Not that I think a revolt is sure to ensue, but a peaceful and logical stand must be made. If the violations of the rights of only a handful of Americans is tolerated by a small impingement, then the next time it may be much larger. Nothing, no policy, nor tax should ever threaten the basic freedom and rights that this country was ideally founded upon for every single citizen in this country. Ultimately changes are needed, necessary, and the country is ever changing. But what cannot change is the consideration of all the people of this country’s Rights and Liberties that countless Americans have lived and died to achieve and protect. References Brown-Nagin, T. (2011). Courage to dissent: Atlanta and the long history of the civil rights movement. (pp. 17-21). New York: Oxford University Press. Edwards, C. (2002). Top ten civil liberties abuses of the income tax. Cato Institute Tax & Budget, 4, Retrieved from http://www.cato.org/pubs/tbb/tbb-0204-2.html The charters of freedom-the constitution of the united states: Amendments 11-17. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html Klukowski, K. (2012, July 10). The great dissent part iii: Justices argue obamacare mandate unconstitutional because it’s not a tax--and why mitt romney is right. Retrieved from http://theacru.org/acru/the_great_dissent_part_iii_justices_argue_obamacare_mandate_unconstitutional_because_its_not_a_taxand_why_mitt_romney_is_right_12/ Levy, P. B. (1998). The civil rights movement. (pp. xvii). Westport: Greenwood Press. Proposed Outline “Taxing Civil Rights” I. Introduction A. Explain Human Rights/Civil Rights/-- a. Reference Constitution B. Present thesis statement a. It is possible for a tax to philosophically be a violation of Civil Rights, if not legally. II. Deeper discussion of the history and present issues in Civil Rights. A. Historic Civil Rights moments. III. Present the “possible” civil rights violations present in yearly IRS taxes. IV. Present the “Obamacare” mandate/tax issue and how regardless is a civil rights issue. V. Conclusion A. Reiterate thesis statement. Present logical/plausible solution if possible. Read More