Failed theories die hard

Many of us dislike paying income taxes, but threatened with five years in prison for tax evasion, 200 million comply.

Then there’s Phil Hart, and 20,000 like him, who each year refuse to file or pay, adopting discredited constitutional arguments.

The IRS has an 80-page publication listing dozens of arguments taxpayers have made as to why the income tax is unconstitutional – 16th Amendment not properly ratified, violation of freedom of speech, violation of freedom of religion, self-incrimination, slavery, only applies to D.C. and military bases, only corporation income can be taxed, wages are not taxable (Hart’s argument), only foreign income is taxable – all rejected in hundreds of cases before the Supreme Court and other federal courts.

Hart’s court case and liens show him delinquent for 12 years! His tax court judges fault him for arguments repeatedly rejected by the courts, intentional disregard of the rules and frivolous and groundless positions.

Rep. Hart’s behavior infuriates honest taxpayers. Willful disregard for the laws usually knocks a candidate out of the race, but Hart is running unopposed! Surely someone from Hayden, Rathdrum, etc. will step up to run as a write-in.

Don Peters

Spokane