Column by Paul Hein.
Exclusive to STR
All taxation is theft, but the most egregious of these thefts must surely be the property tax. Other taxes/thefts can be avoided or minimized, but if you own a house or other tangible real estate, you will be taxed forever, and after you are gone, your heirs will continue to pay tribute to the property tax collector. A number of years ago I asked the local collector how my property could be evaluated in terms of “dollars,” when no value is attached to the “dollar,” and the term itself is undefined. He avoided the question by informing me of the rules by which I could appear before some commission and argue for a lower tax rate. My question remains unanswered.
A year ago I asked the county director of revenue, whose office collects the tax, how I could be subject to his demands absent my consent. His response was not pertinent and he has subsequently ignored further letters.
A few weeks ago I received an unsigned, undated letter from St. Louis County, informing me that my (!!) property had increased in value by about $16,000. I presume that was a warning that the property tax bill, when it arrived, would be for more than last year, although the process is a joke. The rulers can lower the tax rate (hooray!!) but still collect a larger amount by increasing a home’s valuation. Or vice versa: they can decrease a home’s value—which they have done in the past--but collect a larger tax by boosting the rate of taxation. The only thing that remains clear and unequivocal is that they want your money and will get it, one way or another. In response to the letter from the county, I sent the “County Executive” the following letter:
Dear Mister County Executive:
I have received from your office a letter, anonymous and bearing no return address, informing me of the remarkable fact that my home, having aged and deteriorated accordingly, has become more valuable!
The letter is designated “projected tax liability notice,” meaning, I am sure, that you plan to send me a bill, again, on behalf of the nearly 60 organizations or programs which I am expected to support because you say so.
My question to you is this: By what authority do you demand money from me, year after year, as a condition to my continuing to live in “my” house? You will quote some statute, but that is simply saying that your organization, the county, has a right to my property because it says so, and has written it down (a law). Can you produce evidence that your self-serving opinion--“laws”-- apply to me?
Surely if a small group of people, by writing down their wishes--i.e., laws--can compel everyone else to finance their projects, the idea of a free people becomes a joke. What happened to private property if it only remains “private” unless tribute is paid you, in amounts of your determination, at times of your determination, by procedures of your determination? What happened to freedom of speech if individuals are compelled to finance organizations whose views they do not share, or perhaps oppose? What happened to the “consent of the governed,” which Mr. Jefferson assures us is the hallmark of a legitimate government?
Over the years I’ve paid you more for the privilege (!!) of living in my own home than I paid for the home, with no end in sight. I’m sick and tired of doing this, and want an explanation of just how I became subject to you. Aren’t you supposed to be MY servant? How did I become yours?
Very truly yours,
Of course, as a mere mortal, I did not merit a reply from His Omnipotence himself, but rather, from a flunky called “Chief of Policy,” who told me that “upon review of the letter, I have determined that your concerns would be best addressed by St. Louis County Assessor. Thus, I am forwarding your letter to his office. Please feel free to contact his office should you require further assistance. Thank you for taking the time to share your views and concerns.”
I have as yet to hear from the Assessor, but can predict that he will explain that, as Assessor, he merely determines value, but does not levy taxes or determine who is liable for them. Maybe he will refer me to someone else, who will provide a similar non-answer.
Corruption, corruption! The gang of thieves calling themselves St. Louis County can only do one thing well: take other people’s money, by relying upon their victims’ apathy or ignorance, or by threat, actual force, or, if absolutely necessary, deadly violence. They can attempt to justify their actions by citing statutes, but they write those statutes, making their demands just that: mere demands. To date, no government official, federal, state, or local, can tell me how I have become subject to him, or how his written desires, i.e., the “law,” can be applied to me, since I have never given my consent to be regulated or limited by any government.
I am not so naïve as to expect justice from these people. Rather, I would like to educate my fellow victims to the true nature of government, and their relationship—if any--to it. If enough people—it need not be a majority--recognized the government as an illegitimate gang of thieves, it could not survive. That will be the day!
