FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
The Taxman Cometh . . .
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For us all, as does life's other inevitability - death. Death, unlike taxes, isn't up for debate or political negotiation. Gratefully, we're in the Easter season when faith and hope abound that death isn't the final word.
We are also in the U.S. tax season with April 15th rapidly approaching. (On a side note, this year, Monday, April 18th is the due date for federal taxes because Friday, April 15th is Emancipation Day which is celebrated in Washington, D.C. Interestingly, April 18th is also Easter Monday, the day Jesus emerged from the tomb after His crucifixion, when we were all emancipated from death, but federal taxes WILL be due that day. Talk about worldviews colliding . . .)
Praxis Circle has several Contributors who have directly addressed the issues of taxes, their legality, their morality, or their purpose.
Every taxpayer, while stroking that check or waiting for a refund (remember - the IRS is merely returning money you've already paid - it's not a gift!) should give some thought to his or her worldview and how government spending, funded by taxes, fits into it.
Dr. Walter Williams posits here taxation could be considered "legalized theft," especially when the proceeds are used for the welfare of individuals. Welfare spending in the U.S. is always one of largest items in the federal budget and the ways in which it's spent and how helpful it is can be argued all day, every day.
Dr. Jonathan Wight, however, argues that taxation is not legalized theft, but is what Oliver Wendell Holmes called "the price we pay for civilization." He cites the judicial and educational systems as examples of the proper use of tax revenue. Dr. Wight acknowledges the existence of government
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Dr. Walter Williams (1936-2020), American economist, columnist, the John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economic at George Mason University, and
Praxis Circle Contributor
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waste in spending, but doesn't address the moral dimensions of welfare spending. Dr. Williams does take them on directly in this short clip.
Addressing an entirely different dimension of taxation, Michael Novak explains here that taxation can be used to encourage certain beneficial activities, such as capital formation. Even this view has a moral dimension, though.
So as you're dealing with your taxes in the next few weeks, give some thought to how well the government's budget comports with your values and morals, in other words, your worldview. Taxes may be unavoidable in today's world, but how much is levied and how it is spent is ALWAYS up for debate based on worldviews.
Also give some thought to why Emancipation Day requires the tax deadline to be deferred (we have no opinion on this), but Easter Monday, which is arguably more significant for Christians than Christmas Day, does not.
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"This ideal of the Socratic academy is so reasonable that it may seem foolish to quibble with it. Of course, students should engage with ideas that they disagree with rather than silencing anything that challenges their worldview. "
Heather Mac Donald, Thomas W. Smith Fellow of the Manhattan Institute and author
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What We're Listening To:
Two of Praxis Circle's newest Contributors can be heard together on Contributor John Reid's morning show (WRVA-1140AM) from March 22nd. Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation of Virginia, and Mr. Reid hold a valuable discussion about transgenderism (listen here).
Their conversation primarily focuses on the issue of transgenderism as it relates to primary and secondary schools in Virginia, but is applicable to education nation-wide.
Mrs. Cobb explains The Family Foundation's "Protect Every Kid" initiative which was developed in response to Virginia's previous administration's requirement that every school district create "model transgender guidelines." This initiative emphasizes kindness to all students, regardless of sexual identity, but also highlights the need for personal safety for students. Take a listen!
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What We're Reading:
"No 'Just Wars'?", George Weigel's latest column for his syndicated column The Catholic Difference, provides a brief but important explanation of the Catholic Church's views on the concept of a just war in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Mr. Weigel, Catholic theologian, Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics & Public Policy Center, and Senior Vatican Analyst for NBC News, makes clear that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is an unjust war, but that Ukraine's self-defense is most certainly a just war.
Given that Putin is relying on the Greek Orthodox Church's support of his invasion (see here and here),
the worldview of the Catholic Church should be of primary importance and influence on him and the Greek Orthodox Church. So far, it is not.
Mr. Weigel's column is a quick must-read.
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April 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, 25, & 27:
The American Enterprise Institute holds its Edward & Helen Hintz Book Forums, both in-person and live-streaming. See full schedule here.
April 8: Ethics & Public Policy Center (EPPC) sponsors a live conference in Washington, D.C. titled "Religious Liberty & Law, In the Courts, In the Public Square & In Administration."
April 12: As part of their "American History, American Character" webinar series, the National Association of Scholars (NAS) presents "1989: The Fall of Communism." Register here.
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