When a people lose control of their economic destiny they lose their freedom to choose. When you control your economic destiny it means you have the freedom to decide how you will live your life. The way you live your life begins with the ability to make economic decisions about how you will earn and spend your money.
Our founding fathers said we possess certain rights that are self-evident that have been granted us by our Creator. The foundational documents of our republic say we are entitled to three things: 1. Life. 2. Liberty. 3. The pursuit of happiness. They did not say we are guaranteed happiness, only the freedom to pursue it. Without economic freedom the ability to “pursue happiness” is restricted. So, the more control a government can exert to control the economic freedom of its people, the less freedom that people has. This is why free market capitalism is critical for the safety of freedom. It is the true basis of our freedom.
Our constitution was written to protect the citizens of the United States from government that would restrict personal choices concerning life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Since our Constitution was adopted there have been efforts organized to circumvent its safeguards for personal freedom. Over time their efforts have been successful and in 2010 we have reached a tipping point. How things tip will determine the legitimacy of a free people in a free country. The issue of freedom lives or dies and hinges upon the issue of the individual right to control their personal economic choices.
Taxes are a governments method of restricting and directing the economic choices of its population. As the taxes become more complex and intrusive, the individual freedoms of people are decreased. Eventually, financial decisions are made on the basis of a tax code, rather than what is the best free market choice.
Much of the legislation currently before the US Congress, coupled with the proposed budget submitted by President Obama represent massive intrusions in the area of taxes and personal economic decisions. Our personal freedom is at stake.
So, just how free are you?