A tax on Christmas trees?! Forget that King George Obama has temporarily suspended it – he’ll just quietly reinstate it when he thinks no one’s paying attention – who does this arrogant autocrat think he is?
Let’s see, ignoring the Constitution’s separation-of-powers, governing by fiat, depressing the economy, taxation without representation… When will it end?
For all the good it will do (they’re all Democrats) I’ve written the following letter to my senators (Levin & Stabenow) and congressman (Peters):
Dear Senator/Congressman:
While professing to care about the sinking economy and high unemployment rate, President Obama has instituted policies, and issued executive orders, that seem calculated to further undermine any chance of near-term recovery. I’m referring specifically to the “Christmas Tree Tax” (although it’s been temporarily suspended), and more generally to the USDA’s mandatory marketing assessments on everything from beef to blueberries and peanuts to pork. You may have noticed, the prices of food and other commodities are rising too rapidly as it is. We certainly don’t need arbitrary and unnecessary taxes, imposed by the executive branch, driving the costs up even higher.
To begin with, it’s not the federal government’s job to pick winners and losers in our free market system – especially when the “winners” always happen to be the ones with the most powerful lobbies. Also, forcing producers to pay for advertising, whether they want to or not, is a violation of their free speech.
More importantly, doesn’t the Constitution make it clear that the power to levy taxes lies with you, the Congress, and not with the executive branch? Because, whether you call them assessments, fees, levies or whatever – if the USDA makes payment mandatory, they’re taxes. And all taxes get passed on the consumers.
The American Revolution was fought to overthrow the despotic behavior of Britain. And the original Boston Tea Party was protesting actions that were minor compared to this tyranny. Because if this isn’t “taxation without representation” what is?
As my representative in Congress, I strongly urge you to oppose the “Christmas Tree Tax” as well as the other USDA taxes masquerading as “assessments.” And you should also adamantly oppose the usurpation of your authority to levy taxes, and insist on the separation of powers as delineated in the Constitution.
“We the people” do not intend to lose the liberty that previous generations fought and died for.
Thank-you,
Designs on the Truth
While professing to care about the sinking economy and high unemployment rate, President Obama has instituted policies, and issued executive orders, that seem calculated to further undermine any chance of near-term recovery. I’m referring specifically to the “Christmas Tree Tax” (although it’s been temporarily suspended), and more generally to the USDA’s mandatory marketing assessments on everything from beef to blueberries and peanuts to pork. You may have noticed, the prices of food and other commodities are rising too rapidly as it is. We certainly don’t need arbitrary and unnecessary taxes, imposed by the executive branch, driving the costs up even higher.
To begin with, it’s not the federal government’s job to pick winners and losers in our free market system – especially when the “winners” always happen to be the ones with the most powerful lobbies. Also, forcing producers to pay for advertising, whether they want to or not, is a violation of their free speech.
More importantly, doesn’t the Constitution make it clear that the power to levy taxes lies with you, the Congress, and not with the executive branch? Because, whether you call them assessments, fees, levies or whatever – if the USDA makes payment mandatory, they’re taxes. And all taxes get passed on the consumers.
The American Revolution was fought to overthrow the despotic behavior of Britain. And the original Boston Tea Party was protesting actions that were minor compared to this tyranny. Because if this isn’t “taxation without representation” what is?
As my representative in Congress, I strongly urge you to oppose the “Christmas Tree Tax” as well as the other USDA taxes masquerading as “assessments.” And you should also adamantly oppose the usurpation of your authority to levy taxes, and insist on the separation of powers as delineated in the Constitution.
“We the people” do not intend to lose the liberty that previous generations fought and died for.
Thank-you,
Designs on the Truth
There, I feel better. 
