Forbes Quotes Hudgins on a Tax-Free July 4th
Forbes magazine, the country's leading business periodical, led off its popular "Other Comments" section with an extended quote from Edward Hudgins, the Atlas Society's executive director.
Entitled "Tax Break," the comment came from one of Hudgins's Independence Day op-eds that had appeared in the Washington Times. In the piece Hudgins suggests that at least on that one holiday on which we celebrate our freedom, governments should suspend all taxes. (Of course, Ed would shoot for a 365-day tax moritorium and add an extra day for leap years!)
The quote was published in the July 21, 2008 issue of Forbes, which has a circulation of about 900,000. Here's the quote below. Enjoy!
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On July 4, 1776 America's founders declared the country's independence from Britain, largely as a revolt against excessive and unfair taxation. So in our nation, which is much more overtaxed than it was over two centuries ago, it would be fitting if, in recognition of our founding principles, federal, state and local governments made July Fourth a totally tax-free day.
Many cities already suspend sales taxes for a few days a year on items such as clothing and school supplies, usually to garner the favor of overtaxed parents struggling to raise kids and to give mom and pop an incentive to frequent overtaxed downtown enterprises struggling to make profits. So wouldn't it be appropriate for all of us who struggle every day to be allowed to keep our money on that day on which we celebrate our freedom?
Yes, let's ask our elected officials as a start to declare July Fourth a tax holiday. And let's insist they build on that day by cutting back taxes and thus expanding individual independence, which is the essence of America's political and moral revolution.
--Edward Hudgins, Executive Director, Atlas Society, Washington Times