GOP: Show Me the Money!

http://www.opednews.com/articles/GOP-Show-Me-the-Money-by-Richmond-Shreve-Activism-Anti-War_Conflict_Conflict_Congress-140621-766.html



GOP: Show Me the Money!
By Richmond Shreve
OpEdNews Op Eds 6/21/2014 at 11:10:54

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It is high time that this obscene tradition end. I propose a COMBAT TAX. This tax would be an amount initially estimated by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office to cover any proposed action involving armed government personnel. The estimate would be updated quarterly to reflect actual incurred costs. It would be added as a percentage, a surtax on all US Federal taxes across the board. Income tax, excise tax, gas tax -- every tax paid to the US Treasury. Each of us would feel the bite in the taxes withheld from out paychecks. We'd see it immediately in the cost of gas and luxury items we buy. We would all have skin in the game, every single one of us. Rich or poor, each of us would pay. (We might consider exempting income for the veterans who had seen combat.)

At the same time, the Combat Tax legislation would provide for universal service -- yes, I mean conscription. Every adult man or woman would be required to serve the nation in some capacity. Service could be in qualifying occupations like Teach America, Peace Corps, Volunteer Firefighter, Volunteer EMT, and the like. To provide more opportunity we could resurrect the Civilian Conservation Corps to help rebuild our rotting infrastructure. The idea would be that in addition to the monetary hit of the Combat Tax, there would be a universal investment of time and energy for the national good that was in some small way on a par with that made by our military personnel.

The end result of the Combat Tax would be total accountability. Each and every one of us would have a personal stake in assuring that the US never initiate combat unless a truly vital national interest were at risk. Moreover, all of us would have a stake in limiting the conflict and making sure there was an exit strategy.

I'd bet that none of the US wars of the last fifty years would have happened were a Combat Tax the law and the tradition of American democracy. My challenge to the GOP hawks is this: You want more war? Then declare it, and along with it enact the Combat Tax. GOP: Show me the money!