[albedoa]

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Does 1/3 of what I make this year rightfully belong to the U.S. government?

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Yes. Unless you go through the steps of renouncing your citizenship, you are subject to the tax laws. Deal with it.

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Legal/illegal doesn't equate to right/wrong.

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Im not sure why paying taxes on gambling winnings is a question of right/wrong, unless you're challenging the entire legitimacy of the tax system. Taxes are a part of life. We all agree implicitly to pay them. Sales, income, property, estate, etc.

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You see, the thing is, he asked the question hypothetically and in a much broader context than your conveniently cropped quote would have people believe. There exists a large population who choose not to just either "deal with it" or get up and leave the country when they disagree with something. Paying taxes is a question of right or wrong because the law does not impose a belief one way or another and instead allows us free-thinkers to form our own opinions and hold our own morals and ethics.

It was obvious to me that mmcd was "challenging the entire legitimacy of the tax system" or at least suggesting that other forum users or lurkers may challenge it similarly, and so I can't help but wonder if you actually read his post and how you missed that if you did. Also, one can disagree with and even disobey the law without "renouncing" his citizenship. I don't know who told you otherwise.

The institution of tax collection and the debate over whether or not it should exist are two totally separate things that are able to coexist and have done so for centuries. This thread seemed pretty mature and fair up until when you declared yourself the grand judge of all opinions, controversial or non.