We all use them: those shorthand aphorisms that substitute for real thought. It is, of course, damn near criminal when our political opponents do the same: bespeaks a lack of intellectual depth or the willingness to follow your leaders without question. Here are some of my favorite talking points found in the Delaware blogosphere over the past few days: We use our tax dollars to invest in our future. Taxes are the price we pay for civilization. You know, conservatives would sound a lot more coherent if they did accept the concept of the living Constitution. I think the FFs left the documents purposely vague because they wanted it to be a living document. I think this is also why we have the oldest working constitution. If times compel us to change the definition of “press” and “arms,” maybe we can also bring our own modern interpretation to “promote the general welfare.” A well-fed, well-educated populace is the single greatest driver of economic prosperity, whereas a malnourished po...

First, from Jefferson County, Alabama, where the Courts have ruled that the local government's occupational tax and business license fee are invalid, the Center for Libertarian Press Information notes that the county faces the prospect of running out of money on 31 July. In a statement of rare, direct honesty, one County Commissioner indicates what she thinks is the essential service of government: One Commissioner placed the priorities of the County government exactly when she said: “If we can’t make payroll, only the revenue department employees will be working, to collect taxes.” Locally, one of our favorite liberal/progressive bloggers declares all tax cuts or credits to be government subsidies : We are taking about the cost of business equipment — not retail items that get sold to a consumer. And that grocery store gets depreciation on its shelving — which reduces the tax bill owed. A subsidy. Not unlike the mortgage tax deduction. Or any other tax credit or deduction. Th...

Years prior to the American Revolution, Ben Franklin attempted to explain to Crown officials why taxing the sugar trade to produce more revenue wouldn't work. He told them that if they raised the duty on a barrel of molasses, say, by two pennies, all that the merchants in New England would do was pass along the price increase to their English customers. Thus, the Crown would really be raising taxes on people in England, not the colonials in America.... The British never got it. But that's the essence of the argument that corporations don't pay taxes, they only collect them, acting pretty much as 21st Century tax farmers for the government. The cost of paying taxes is figured into the final cost of the goods or services they sell you, not paid out of profits. Here's an explanation from a small business owner in Delaware: I employ people. I hire new people when I need their services and I think I can keep them working and I think I can cover their costs. I’m not hirin...