Our Threatened Freedom

Is Congress Giving Us Equal Protection

Professor: Dr. R.J. Rushdoony

Subject: Political Studies

Lesson: 138-169

Genre: Conversation

Track: 138

Dictation Name: Vol. K - Part 08 - Is Congress Giving Us Equal Protection

Location/Venue: Unknown

Year: 1980’s – 1990’s

[Dr. Rushdoony] Is Congress giving us equal protection? This is R.J. Rushdoony with a report on our threatened freedom.

The federal tax bill passed in mid-summer 1982 with so much pressure from Republican President Reagan, and enthusiasm by Democrats, is turning out to be filled with booby-traps for us. The tax bill dramatically tilts us over into massive deficit spending for some time to come, and also into very serious inflation. At the same time it has some interesting jokers in it. Originally we were told when Social Security cards were first issued, that they were not for identification, now they are required. Now the Reagan tax bill requires us to disclose our taxpayer ID number to others when asked to do so, or pay a 50 dollar fine. If we understate our tax, we will be fined 1,000 dollars.

Middle men such as brokers, commodity dealers and barter exchanges must now give the Internal Revenue Service data about all customers’ gross proceeds. At the same time, Congress earlier this year voted itself so many tax breaks that members of Congress are virtually now tax exempt. In other words, the Internal Revenue Service gives by act of Congress a privileged exemption to Congressmen and senators, and at the same time Congress has given to the IRS a number of privileges over taxpayers who are not Congressmen. Very obviously Congress no longer believes that the people are entitled to equal protection, under the law, with themselves. Is it any wonder that more and more people are cynical about what goes on in Washington? Stranger, is it not, that the press said virtually nothing about the new powers of the IRS over us. It seems sometimes that the press regards as all the news that’s fit to print very little that concerns you and me.

The press, the Republicans, Democrats, local and state politicians and members of Congress all tell us that they are concerned with us, the little people. When they put their loving and brotherly arms around us however, we wind up getting our pockets picked. Isn’t it time we have equal protection with members of Congress?

This has been R.J. Rushdoony with a report on our threatened freedom.