What we need is a vehicle that lets Washington know how upset we are with the tax policies that have been shoved down our throats for the last ten years (at least). I firmly believe in a progressive tax structure and when my once in a lifetime windfall came in the late 90's I paid my taxes at the then high rate. It stung but I felt that living in a country that allowed me to have the windfall made the taxes I paid acceptable.
The message that Washington needs is that we are sick and tired of getting the shitty end of the stick. I could go into all the reasons that I believe we are getting screwed but I sense that everyone on Daily Kos knows them first hand.
What I want to propose is a gradual tightening of the money flow to Washington. First of all I have to disclaim any expertise as an accountant or tax attorney but trust that minor inaccuracies will be forgiven and corrected by those more knowledgeable than I.
The W-4 is the basis of withholding from your payroll for payment of taxes, a sort of escrow account. I don't know what percentage of the population 'works' this to make sure that the amount withheld and owed even out at the end of the year. I do though and think it is sound financial policy to keep your own money rather than let Uncle Sam keep it at no interest to you (us).
So the proposal:
- Start the year with 1 or 2 allowances, if this is fewer than you usually have understand that it will balance out over the run of the protest.
- Every other week file a new W-4 and increase the allowances by one. I would say do it every week but the number of allowances gets pretty high pretty fast. I would rather see a gradual rise in the allowances taken to allow more time for the participation and momentum to grow.
- Write your Congressional representative and Senators to let them know you are part of the protest.
Beyond that I have no idea where it would lead...jail? Not if enough people did it,.... Reform? That is obviously the point, .... Empowerment? Wouldn’t it feel good to know you were hitting them where it hurts?
I don't know how to become the Crazy Dancing Guy or who will be the first joiner but I have to do something even if it is alone and I call it off 30 weeks from now.