BECAUSE LIFE IS NOT FAIR, GOVERNMENT MUST BE EQUAL

14 April 2008

The title of this post sums up the big-picture premise upon which Humanistic Equalism: Philosophy for Ethical Government is constructed; albeit somewhat over-simplified. "Fair," and "equal," are not the same thing. "Fair" is a concept, or idea that flows from the principle of "equal," or "absolute equal" within the context of Humanistic Equalism.

By their very nature people are not fair. The result is a society that is not fair. So far, as a general rule of history, government is neither fair nor equal. Fairness is a subjective judgement that may lead to an action, and is facilitated by the condition of equality. And even though one may choose to act fairly absent the condition of equality, if the principle of equality is the required condition then fair conduct or action must be result. Therefore, since people most often act fairly only when it is in their own self-interest, or advantage, I submit that it is the duty and responsibility of institutional government to establish and maintain the condition of absolute equality concerning its activities, functions, and conduct. That is to say that if our government is predicated on the condition of absolute equality it will be fair.

For example, tomorrow (15 April) is the deadline for filing individual income tax information. By the way, HAPPY TAX DAY! I do not believe that in 55 years I have ever met or known, or known of, anyone that likes anything about income tax -whether private citizen or corporate citizen. If there is any element or aspect about which I might concede that citizens of the United States are in fact and practice "united" it is the issue of taxes. Why is that?

There are certainly as many answers as there are people; some hate the idea of so-called 'wealth redistribution,' most people feel that they are over-taxed (even the super-wealthy), and some simply hate the idea of government. I have concluded that the most common and fundamental reason Americans hate income tax and our tax system is two-fold. Our tax system is unfair and it is complicated beyond description. Our income tax is unfair, it is believed, because it is too high and because it is not spent wisely. It is complicated in order to benefit politicians and the wealthy donor class.

But what if it was possible to have a system of taxation that is equal, fair, and gives citizens first say in how government must spend the revenues? There is.

Next time I will tell you more about the system of taxation developed from the principles and process proposed by Humanistic Equalism: Philosophy for Ethical Government, and I will delve a little deeper into its philosophical construction and reasoning. I look forward to your comments and opinions and to our next encounter. I will communicate with you again in four days on Friday 18 April 2008.
Until then, give peace a chance.