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Richard Rider

If “anti-tax” groups supposedly want zero taxes, don’t tax increase groups want 100% taxes?

In America, we have a double standard when it comes to tax issue groups.  The press and the Left labels any group that opposes tax increases as “anti-tax.”  Yet I’ve NEVER heard the left wing groups pushing higher taxes defined as “pro-tax.” Why is that?

Okay, okay — the Left controls the MSM and academia — we all get that.  But “anti-tax” is a labeling double standard that too many conservative pundits routinely employ when describing the position of taxpayer advocate groups.

Moreover, an “anti-tax” group is periodically accused to being opposed to taxes, PERIOD.  ALL taxes.

Of course, such a zero-tax group is a nonexistent straw man — outside of anarchist groups (is not an “anarchist group” in itself an oxymoron?).  Logically speaking, should not that labeling standard mean that any group favoring tax increases therefore favors 100% taxes?

I think it’s important to bring this labeling inconsistency up in the debates over taxes.  I use this as a response to the “anti-tax” stereotype the progressives love to use to smear any opponent of higher taxes, or anyone who wants a lower tax burden.

There are three general views on taxes:

  1. Taxes are too high.
  2. Taxes are high enough.
  3. Taxes are too low.

My ragtag group San Diego Tax Fighters represent people in the first two categories (though most of us favor lower taxes).  The third category has by far the biggest number of activist organizations, dwarfing any organized pro-taxpayer groups.

Perhaps we should relabel tax issue groups as being either “pro-taxpayer” and “anti-taxpayer.”  I think that’s a much more accurate differentiation (though still imperfect) than what we now have.  Good luck getting the media to adopt this more objective standard.