Ethics, Economics & Taxation 2006

[Martin Hash]

I. INTRODUCTION
This paper describes the three parameters that define a society: ethics, economics, and taxation. Each parameter is bipolar in that it can be measured between two extremes. The poles and the synthesis are original to the author but the categories are from cited literature.
II. ETHICS
A debate framed around the words “liberty” and “morals” invites a clash of rhetoric and self righteous indignation. “Liberty” enshrines freedom of the individual, while “morals” are concerned with the dynamics within a group. There are those that want a society based on morals, but American society instead champions liberty. Obviously, since America is a group, a balance must be struck between the two ideals.
Liberty
The U.S. Constitution was written by men who were at a fortuitously nexus in history. For reasons of time, place, geography, and experience; a new, modern nation was established that articulated its belief that people were responsible for themselves. “Liberty” is the notion that all people are free to pursue their ambitions: stated succinctly, “We the people … secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” Preamble of the U.S. Constitution. Citizens of the republic jealously protect this personal autonomy, and define their government in terms of its unobtrusiveness. In a nation founded on the concept of liberty, their government’s first priority is not the physical well-being of its populace, but is instead to ensure an infrastructure that individuals can take advantage of for their own benefit. The phase, “all men are created equal,” is the recognition that everyone should have an equal opportunity to participate in this infrastructure. Preamble of the Declaration of Independence.

Morals

Local Tax.doc