Ron Paul Shall Overcome
Brian Doherty | September 7, 2007, 7:44pm
Attended a memorial service for Aaron Russo, the film producer and libertarian activist, this afternoon at Hollywood's House of Blues. It was one of the "celebrating a life, not mourning a death" variety.
Rep. Ron Paul was there and said some words about Russo the freedom fighter, and Russo's pet causes of abolishing the IRS (got a big round of applause from this Hollywood crowd) and the Federal Reserve. (See Russo's conspiratorial documentary on the topic, America: From Freedom to Fascism, if you are curious.)
Interestingly, it seemed a given to Paul and his introducer that everyone knew who he was. He was introduced merely as "Ron Paul," not "Congressman Paul" or "presidential candidate Paul" and he referred within his speech to talking to Russo about his "decision to run" without saying what for. It may be that any friend of Aaron Russo's is presumed to be knowledgeable about this sort of politics; or it may be that the general run of Americans know more about Ron than I might have guessed at this point. (Or maybe half the 300 or so person crowd had no idea what was going on, but they sure seemed to.)
Paul's talk was part memorial tribute to Russo's passions and friendship, part stump speech of sorts (stressing the importance of this moment in time to strike a blow for the cause of liberty the way Russo would have wanted it--voting for Ron himself was an implied, if not explicitly spoken, way to do so). As soon as Paul's talk was over an 11-voice gospel choir with funky organ, bass, drum and guitar accompanyment took the stage for a triumphant "We Shall Overcome" with crowd singalong.
I'm guessing this was the first time this happened after one of Ron Paul's campaign talks--the choir was entertaining throughout the memorial--but I tell you, it shouldn't be the last.
Robert | September 8, 2007, 1:54am | #
A quote from Aaron Russo...
"You may have heard that the Honorable Congressman Ron Paul is exploring running for the Republican nomination in 2008.
Congressman Paul will be the only uncompromising defender of the Constitution in the race.
I can't tell you how grateful I felt, how full of heartfelt joy, and how much enthusiasm I felt when I heard the news of his Candidacy. I am 1000% behind him!
Ron Paul has stepped up to the plate because he knows what we all know: the noose is tightening, and there isn't much time if we hope to restore to Constitutional Government.
I called Ron yesterday to tell him I am on board to do ANYTHING it takes to support his campaign.
NOW is the time for the ENTIRE Freedom Movement, all Third Parties, ALL GOOD AMERICANS EVERYWHERE, from all political stripes and persuasions, to unite to overtake the weakened Republican Party. Stand firmly behind Ron Paul, and work to restore our Constitutional Republic.
Do not let partisan politics get in the way. No matter what your Party affiliation, we must support Ron Paul as the Candidate.
Everything in the movie, America: Freedom to Fascism IS Ron Paul.
In my conversation with Congressman Paul, I told him I'll make copies of America: Freedom to Fascism available for his campaign. We will spread them far and wide.
What better way to introduce him to the public than for him to talk to them in their own living rooms?! What better way to help awaken them to governmental intrusions into their private lives than to see it in their own homes?
Congressman Ron Paul is the man with the strength to stay the course until Enemies, Foreign and Domestic, are put in their rightful place!
There isn't a better man for the job. He has an impeccable voting record. He is "right on," on Freedom and Sovereignty issues.
In a time of universal deceit, Congressman Paul dares to commit the revolutionary act of telling the truth. How refreshing!
But now the work begins.
Ron Paul needs not just our "affirmative nod," he needs our time, energy, financial contributions, and willingness to see him win. He needs us to use our precious accrued "vacation time" to go to New Hampshire to knock on doors, pass out AFTF DVDs, to be as dedicated to helping him win as he is to running the Race. His campaign must be organized District by District.
The entire AFTF Network must focus on helping Ron Paul. You have already awakened a lot of Americans to the dangers we face.
NOW, help me, won't you, as I do everything within my means to promote the only HONEST, Constitutional American in the 2008 Presidential race.
With the right Candidate and a passionate grassroots effort, it is possible to take over a weakened Republican Party. I've told you many times of how we overtook the Republican Party in my Gubernatorial race in Nevada. I KNOW it can be done!
Well, HERE is that Candidate!
NOW IS THE TIME to join with me and support Ron Paul.
I've seen you at work. You can do this. WE can do this!
I Am Most Sincerely Yours in Freedom,
Aaron Russo "
James Anderson Merritt | September 8, 2007, 5:25pm | #
Brandybuck wrote, "In the movie mentioned above, he keeps asking 'show me the law.' I know he's dead, and it's too late, but in case you're interested, here it is. Two minutes of googling would have found it."
Language such as "There is hereby imposed on the taxable income of—
(1) every married individual... and
(2) every surviving spouse ...
a tax determined in accordance with the following table:," which I found at the link you provided, seems fairly straightforward and beyond misinterpretation. The imposition of a tax entails the obligation to pay under the stated terms. Sections within Title 26 also require that various classes of people file tax returns.
So the question are these: If the law exists and is so straightforward, why don't IRS representatives routinely point people to the relevant provisions, instead of allowing all of the "conspiracy nuttery" to develop? Why does former IRS agent Joe Bannister say that he studied the tax code carefully, yet could neither find relevant provisions nor get his superiors to point them out?
I'm not asking these questions to be confrontational, but merely to wonder how, if the misinformation is so easily countered, it can possibly persist. For instance, the IRS could print excerpts from the relevant sections (and citations for further reading) on every income tax form. Media representatives could point out (directly, or through quotations from IRS representatives) that the relevant sections of code exist, and cite them by number. There seem to be innumerable opportunities to spread reliable information on this topic, so that nobody would ever have cause to doubt the legal underpinnings of income taxation. Yet general ignorance on this topic seems common -- even overwhelming, and I just can't understand why. What do people actually gain from participating in and promoting this mass-ignorance, generation after generation?
collin28 | September 9, 2007, 12:34pm | #
Ron Paul’s record is clear, and has been for over 20 years. It is factual and it is abundant across the country, but most of the media (especially FOX), the other candidates, and the ruling powers despise and fear him because he stands for truth and he reminds them every time they hear him speak, and look in the mirror at home, of what they have become... lackeys for the military industrial complex, traitors, and domestic terrorists.
Ron Paul threatens everything they stand for, and is the only political voice that is defending American freedom, sovereignty, our way of life, and the Constitution. The media and elite with such attitudes against him, and America, are traitors, and the lowest of humanity.
Is America so asleep at the wheel that they still believe in the Republican v Democrat mythology? Do they really accept what the mainstream media says? Are they so addicted to the mindless pablum government and media put out that they cannot think for themselves, or research the real issues? Have Americans discarded the American dream, selling out their children for couch time, and receiving limited freedoms? Bring out troops home now.
Are there any leaders who take personal responsibility for where we find ourselves as a nation? Dr. Ron Paul is one who loves country, freedom and sovereignty enough to stand up and speak the truth. He has always spoken the truth and we are behind him, growing in numbers... those who realize that freedom is NOT free, but requires vigilance, responsibility and fearlessness. Will the media continue to ignore the most popular candidate in the country? Wake up America. Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate that can beat Hillary.
The IRS | September 10, 2007, 12:14am | #
Tax Scams - How to Recognize and Avoid Them
To help the public recognize and avoid abusive tax schemes, the IRS offers an abundance of educational materials. Participating in an illegal scheme to avoid paying taxes can result in imprisonment and fines, as well as the repayment of taxes owed with penalties and interest. Education is the best way to avoid the pitfalls of these “too good to be true” tax scams.
Common Scheme Types
* Anti-Tax Law Schemes
* Abusive Home-Based Business Schemes
* Abusive Trust Schemes
* Misuse of the Disabled Access Credit
* Abusive Offshore Schemes
* Employee Plans Abusive Tax Transactions
* Exempt Organization Abusive Tax Avoidance Transactions
More Information
* IRS Fact Sheet 2005-15, IRS Obtains More Than 100 Injunctions Against Tax Scheme Promoters
* IRS News Release 2005-19, IRS Announces the 2005 Dirty Dozen
* IRS News Release 2004-48
IRS, Justice Department Note Increase in Tax Enforcement: Civil and Criminal Enforcement Against Tax Cheats on the Rise
* IRS News Release 2004-47
IRS Warns Businesses, Individuals to Watch for Questionable Employment Tax Practices
* IRS News Release 2004-42
IRS Warns of “Corporation Sole” Tax Scam
* IRS News Release 2004-26
IRS Updates the ‘Dirty Dozen’ for 2004: Agency Warns of New Scams
* IRS News Release 2004-19
IRS, States Move Forward in Fight Against Abusive Tax Avoidance
* IRS News Release 2003-111
IRS and States Announce Partnership to Target Abusive Tax Avoidance Transactions
* Listed Abusive Tax Shelters and Transactions
* Tax Fraud Alerts
Information from the IRS Criminal Investigation Division
* Department of Justice and IRS Civil and Criminal Actions
* IRS Article About Abusive Employee Plan Tax Schemes
The IRS | September 10, 2007, 12:23am | #
The Law: The requirement to pay taxes is not voluntary and is clearly set forth in section 1 of the Internal Revenue Code, which imposes a tax on the taxable income of individuals, estates, and trusts as determined by the tables set forth in that section. (Section 11 imposes a tax on the taxable income of corporations.) Furthermore, the obligation to pay tax is described in section 6151 , which requires taxpayers to submit payment with their tax returns. Failure to pay taxes could subject the noncomplying individual to criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, as well as civil penalties.
In discussing section 6151, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals stated "when a tax return is required to be filed, the person so required 'shall' pay such taxes to the internal revenue officer with whom the return is filed at the fixed time and place. The sections of the Internal Revenue Code imposed a duty on Drefke to file tax returns and pay the . . . tax, a duty which he chose to ignore." United States v. Drefke, 707 F.2d 978, 981 (8 th Cir. 1983).
Relevant Case Law:
United States v. Bressler, 772 F.2d 287, 291 (7 th Cir. 1985) - The court upheld Bressler's conviction for tax evasion, noting, "[he] has refused to file income tax returns and pay the amounts due not because he misunderstands the law, but because he disagrees with it . . . . [O]ne who refuses to file income tax returns and pay the tax owing is subject to prosecution, even though the tax protester believes the laws requiring the filing of income tax returns and the payment of income tax are unconstitutional."
Schiff v. United States, 919 F.2d 830, 833 (2d Cir. 1990), cert. denied, 501 U.S. 1238 (1991) - The court rejected Schiff's arguments as meritless and upheld imposition of the civil fraud penalty, stating "[t]he frivolous nature of this appeal is perhaps best illustrated by our conclusion that Schiff is precisely the sort of taxpayer upon whom a fraud penalty for failure to pay income taxes should be imposed."
Packard v. United States, 7 F. Supp. 2d 143, 145 (D. Conn. 1998) - The court dismissed Packard's refund suit for recovery of penalties for failure to pay income tax and failure to pay estimated taxes where the taxpayer contested the obligation to pay taxes on religious grounds, noting that "the ability of the Government to function could be impaired if persons could refuse to pay taxes because they disagreed with the Government's use of tax revenues."
United States v. Gerads, 999 F.2d 1255, 1256 (8 th Cir. 1993) - The court stated that "[taxpayers'] claim that payment of federal income tax is voluntary clearly lacks substance" and imposed sanctions in the amount of $1,500 "for bringing this frivolous appeal based on discredited, tax-protestor arguments."
