The Boston Tea Party be damned. This week, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden unleashed the most absurd remark of his illustrious career, claiming that taxes were "patriotic."
Biden claims that wealthier Americans should pay more in taxes because, "It's time to be patriotic . . . time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut."
Oh, the injustice of American society!
When exactly did taxation transform into a form of charity? Biden, it seems, has a difficult time differentiating between coercion and generosity. The distinction is simple: When one fails at altruism, he is a louse; when one fails to pay taxes, he ends up in the slammer.
But anyone can "jump in" at any time. Biden and his wife, who would be considered wealthy under an Obama/Biden tax plan, for instance, gave an average of $369 a year to charity during the past decade. So you can see that by "help," Biden means assistance with your money. . . .
Sure, candidates can debate tax policy and quarrel over which tax percentage is optimal. But patriotism is a devoted love, support and defense of one's country. It's not a love of policy or the politicians who happen to be running the country right now — or tomorrow.
