Letter To The Louisiana Governor

January 11, 2013

From: Kurt Henning
Illinois

To: Governor Bobby Jindal
Office of the Governor
Baton Rouge, LA  70804

Dear Governor Jindal,

I am writing from the State of Illinois because I have recently learned that you are considering eliminating the state income tax in Louisiana.  I wish to express that, as a student of American taxation for the last seven years, I am heartily in favor of such a move for the people of your State.

The news media reports that you feel the citizens should be able to have more of the money they have earned in their pockets.  I agree, and I am sure that many of your fellow citizens feel the same way.  I am also sure you realize that your State would become the tenth in the Union that currently meets its expenses without a tax on the income of its citizens.  This would mean that one out of every five of our States have learned they can get along without an income tax.  This is progress!

As well as expressing my support for what you are considering, I would also like to respectfully suggest something as you and your supporters strive to make this significant, positive change.  I would ask that you consider what you are doing in light of every human being’s fundamental right to earn a living, and that a tax on one’s earned income essentially reduces that right to a privilege.

I believe that one’s right to earn a living deserves heightened protection from any burdens laid upon it for two reasons: 1. Because it is primarily through the exercise of this right that we are even able to enjoy our right to live, and 2. Because this right is, in and of itself, one of the primary responsibilities of any adult member of society.  Most rights that we recognize are exercised at one’s discretion.  There are a few rights that we are compelled to exercise as they are among the most basic of human responsibilities.  Among the rights of this nature are the right to work, the right of self-defense, and the right to parent our children.  Some might argue that buying food is a responsibility, and so by the same token should not be taxed.  But working for our living is the wellspring that makes buying the necessities and comforts of life possible, and so deserves that extra measure of protection from being burdened in any way.  No one should be incurring debt as they strive to meet their basic human responsibility of earning a living.

As part of my studies, I have written letters to the governors of all nine states that currently levy no tax on income.  The letters were to simply ask why.  The five responses I received basically came down to economic reasons – that it was economically viable to do away with that form of taxation, and so they did.  I have come to believe that there are more important reasons to avoid a tax on earned income – matters of principle, as stated above.  A California commission reported in 1906 on the question of whether or not to introduce a state income tax: “The Commission believes that it would not be wise to take advantage of this section [of the State constitution which permits an income tax]…Our people have so much respect for labor that what is won by honest toil is regarded as sacred and not to be reduced by direct taxation.”  It is that respect for a person’s labor that I believe needs to be restored in this country.  As your State can easily prove, and as nine others are proving every day, there are other ways, there are other means.

I wish your endeavor all success, Governor.  I hope that it will raise awareness in this country that we are not stuck with the income tax – it is optional.  Most have been taught their entire lives that it is absolutely necessary, inevitable, and eternal, and therefore never look below the surface at the deeper implications of such a form of taxation.  Some still actually cling to the notion that an income tax is the Great Equalizer for society.  After 100 years (of the federal income tax), we are all still holding our breath waiting for that to happen.

Thank you for your service to your great State, and for considering what a neighbor from afar has to say.  Though we are of different States, I take great interest in this subject because I believe that what you and the other nine States do in regard to taxation can have very positive implications for the entire nation.

 

Best wishes to you and to the people of Louisiana.

Sincerely,

[signed]

Kurt Henning

Illinois, USA