Letter to the Editor: Equality of all
BY John Smallwood, Broken Arrow
Monday, July 18, 2011
7/18/11 at 3:08 AM
Americans, rich or poor, proceed with caution regarding the national debt/tax debate. When considering opinions regarding increases in taxes, remember: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, all men are created equal."
The U.S. Constitution is a contract, ensuring "equality before the law." Equality before the law is all government - any government - may hope to achieve. Government isn't responsible for humans' inherent characteristics at birth. Inherent characteristics may be physical, mental or environmental. Neither we nor the government have control of conditions under which we are born. Likewise, it can be said people don't desire to live in poverty or sickness, but government cannot cure poverty or illness. Individuals do.
Americans must not allow our government to create a class conflict. History is a record of societies destroyed because of class conflicts.
Governments do not meet the dictionary definition of "fair": marked by impartiality and honesty, free from self-interest, prejudice or favoritism.
Protecting the equality of each American is a function the government may perform. Taxing one American, rich or poor, more than another, destroys the founding concept of this great nation: equality of all. Equality of all Americans is a privilege granted by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The percentage of tax assessment, not dollars, must be equal for all. The percentage affirms each citizen's equality. Americans understand this. The government must spend less, while promoting the equality and uniqueness of every American citizen. For the government to attempt any more exceeds the reality of what government may do.
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