The Weakening of Nations: How Tax Work-Arounds Undermine Our Society

February 10, 2012

I have a new piece out in The Atlantic about how the use of tax havens by individuals and corporations may tear at the weaker-than-we-think bonds of nationality in the future. Stop on by, check it out, and leave a comment if you like.

A Critic

Very good article.

“The nation-state –
which is still relatively new as far as history is concerned — tells us as
individuals in a very clear voice, “You belong to me, from birth to death. You
have rights and responsibilities, and how you go about discharging them will
guide whether you get honorific titles and a big house, or a prison cell.” And
the vast majority of the population of every country has bought into it.”

That’s a great summary of the state of the nation-state. I personally reject the notion that I am merely the property of the nation-state but I’m a rare minority.

“We are all unclear on what these nation-states mean,”

It’s very clear to me. You are a state-slave. You belong to the state. You have two primary obligations. You must pay, and you must obey. There is no obligation to question the tax affairs of your rulers. Those who control the nation-state, the politicians and beaurocrats and other influential people, own the nation-state. There is no obligation to question these people. Indeed, I think it is an unwritten rule that you shouldn’t be questioning them as questions lead to critical thinking and that endangers the nation-state.

“Enough clarity that you
could reasonably explain the world tax system to a ten year-old.”

Do as you are told. Got it? No one told you to question your owners, so shut up. Got it? Your masters thank you for obeying, your masters thank you for paying.

http://www.ericgarland.co ericgarland

Hey there critic: yup, I think you took my point pretty well. The State has enormous influence on our lives, including war, death penalty, taxes and so forth. It doesn’t negotiate with its poorer members very frequently or very well. It has zero compunction about saying, “Hey sorry, we have to bail out giant banks with your soon-to-be-inflated currency – this is national security!” But on this issue of national income and taxation it gets all squishy all of a sudden, all vague. Just make it clear, that’s all I’m asking. Nail down who owes what to whom. But don’t tell me that your American when it’s time for R&D credits or for the U.S. Navy to defend you from pirates, and then claim that you’re part Andorran when it’s time for the bill. My taxes all go to the U.S. of A – and frequently and in full, thank you very much.
Monica Nixon

Critic,

Precisely correct, pay and obey and do not question. A succinct and apt personification of America today.

Monica