Comment Re: Stop Fighting About Who To Tax (Score 2) 205
The U.S. existed longer without a federal income tax (137 years) than with it (112 years), but the gap is closing.
Before the federal income tax, the government primarily raised revenue through tariffs, excise taxes, and land sales:
1. Tariffs (Import Duties) â" The federal government relied heavily on tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods. These were a major source of revenue throughout the 19th century and helped protect domestic industries.
2. Excise Taxes â" These are taxes on specific goods, such as whiskey, tobacco, and other commodities. The infamous Whiskey Tax (1791) led to the Whiskey Rebellion, showing how unpopular direct taxation could be.
3. Land Sales â" The U.S. government sold large amounts of federal land, particularly as it expanded westward. This provided a steady income, especially during the early 19th century.
These methods worked when the federal government was smaller, but as government responsibilities grew, tariffs and excise taxes became insufficient. This led to the push for a permanent income tax, which was finally established in 1913 with the 16th Amendment.
If the government shrinks we could keep more of the money we make, and not need so much âoehelpâ from the government. If there are local issues in each of our states we want solved, people can start charities or non-profits and donate their own money to them to fund those things on their own. Government does the worst job of actually solving any problem. No accountability, no sense of budget, full of fraud and waste, no incentive to solve the actual problem.