#MLKDay
"Life's most persistent and urgent
question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" - Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Yesterday here in Idaho where I live,
in the capital city of Boise, Boise State University held their
annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day march and rally. In Idaho the
holiday is called Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day one
of seven states that have alternate names. It was created on January
16, 2006 by our then republican Governor and former United States
Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne. Students, citizens and
peace/ justice organizations gather at the university then march from
there down one of our main thoroughfares into the heart of the city
(Capital Boulevard) to the Idaho State Capital,
there to listen to speakers commemorating the day.
The honoring of Dr. King is a wonderful
thing as he is unarguably one of the world's most notable figures in
the eternal work for peace and justice. But the celebration of Dr.
King is not the main focus of this post today.
I saw that directly following the rally
there was going to be another rally held at our capital steps. It was
billed as the “Stop Tuition Hikes” rally, supporting a ballot
initiative to raise cigarette taxes by $1.50 a pack to lower college
tuition costs by 22%. A noble cause, as we all know those costs are
outrageous. Even beyond that I could use the word “sinful”. Which
brings me to the next thought on this post. The tax on tobacco is
what is considered a “sin tax”.
I have always had a problem with “sin taxes” and think, “What
would government do if they could not collect this money?” Similar
to sin taxes after 106 years the federal government stopped the 3%
excise tax on our phone bills on August 1st, 2006. That was a phone
tax we all paid that went directly to fund war.
“States collectively took in
approximately $32 billion in taxes on tobacco, alcohol and gambling
in fiscal year 2014. (And that does not include sin taxes imposed on
candies, drugs, soft drinks and fast foods.) State legislatures have
shown they’re most apt to passing cigarette tax hikes. From fiscal
years 2000 through 2015, states enacted a total of 111 tax increases
on tobacco products.” Well now. What if all the sinners quit
smoking, drinking and gambling? I say, lets tax Bibles. “With
estimated total sales of over 5 billion copies, the Bible is widely
considered to be the best selling book of all time.”
Guinness
Studies have shown that sin taxes
punish the poor
and many consider taxation in general as theft. Ihave a suggestion for the Stop Tuition Hikes folks. Dig into the coffer of the bloated military budget.
“Nothing in all the world is more
dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” -
Martin Luther King Jr.
American teacher, writer, philosopher,
and reformer Amos Bronson Alcott >> “To be ignorant of one's ignorance is the malady of the
ignorant.”
Now education is one of the most
important things in our society. But I question why we need to resort
to the use of sin taxes to educate our fellows. I believe education
should be free. (as well as health care)
And when it come to education it is
evident that those fighting against education funding are mostly
right wing politicians.
Idaho ranks No. 46 in Education (January 9, 2015) Republicans are “sincere” and “conscientious” when they wish
to abolish the Department of Education
When our ex-governor, Dirk Kempthorne,
(the above mentioned who changed the name of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day), was a senator he voted NO on many national education efforts
along with his fellow Republicans.
Now Dr. King was a strong advocate for
education and against war.
Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence Declaration of Independence from the War in Vietnam speech by MartinLuther King, Jr
~ Martin Luther King, Jr. on War and Civil Disobedience
Currently the defense budget is $534.3
billion in June of 2015 according to the National Priorities Project
and $607 billion according to The International Business Times on
November 10th 2015. From War Resisters League: "Current military” includes
Dept. of Defense ($586 billion) and the military portion from other
departments ($196 billion).
“Past military” represents veterans’ benefits plus 80% of the
interest on the debt. Also according to the National Priorities
Project: "In fiscal year 2015, military spending is projected to
account for 54 percent of all spending between mandatory and
discretionary spending, " Others have similar numbers. Why
doesn't education have a lager piece of the pie? It has been
estimated that $154 billion in education spending accounts for
approximately 4.2 percent of the entire federal budget. 4.2 compared to 54! All I can say
is, “WOW!” (well I could say more)
With tax time coming up I hope you
give a little thought on these matters. What are your priorities? It
was reported it cost $500 million to train a few Syrian soldiers to
fight ISIS. The cost to train one Marine to kill? How much does it
cost to train a Navy SEAL or Green Beret? Estimates: Something like
$500,000 in each case, more for the medics, plus $100,000 or so
annually after joining their unit. Again, “WOW!” In 2014 it costs
$65,000 to train a drone pilot.... How many college grads leave being
$60,000 in debt??
Being a founding member of the Idaho Peace Coalition
this is not new to me. War, fairness/justice and war taxes. This post
could go on for quite a while but for now I will end with a bit of
info on resisting those war taxes. Be well. Work for Peace. Be
inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr and work for change.
For More Peace Resources Visit That Page At KetherMuse Website
**
Here is a great article from Alternet (over a dozen years old but still relevant)
on beginner's guide to tax resistance.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church from
1914 has a long history of noncombatancy service within and outside
the military. Though some church members choose combat, the church
stands by its official position, which dates to a resolution made in
1867
Matthew 26:52 King James Version (KJV)
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up
again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword
shall perish with the sword.
Revelation 13:10 King James Version
(KJV)
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall
go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with
the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Romans 12:19-21 King James Version (KJV)
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not
yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger,
feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt
heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but
overcome evil with good.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 King James Version
(KJV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we
do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong
holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every
high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Ephesians 6:11-18 King James Version
(KJV)
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that
ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins
girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
