(The Roman Catholic Church, far from a perfect representation of its leader, Jesus Christ, has come out with some very potent social teachings that would be good for the so-called Catholics now running for office to read in the next few months.)
Notable quotations from Catholic social teaching on the theme of taxation
As regards taxation, assessment according to ability to pay is
fundamental to a just and equitable system.
Mother and Teacher, #132
The concentration of privilege that exists today results far more from institutional relationships distribute power and wealth
inequitably than from differences in talent or lack of desire to
work. These institutional patterns must be examined and revised if
we are to meet the demands of basic justice. For example, a system
of taxation based on assessment according to ability to pay [32] is
a prime necessity for the fulfillment of these social obligations.
Economic Justice for All, #76
More specifically, it is the responsibility of all citizens, acting
through their government, to assist and empower the poor, the
disadvantaged, the handicapped, and the unemployed...Government
may levy the taxes necessary to meet these responsibilities, and
citizens have a moral obligation to pay those taxes.
Economic Justice for All, #123
Businesses have a right to an institutional framework that does not
penalize enterprises that act responsibly. Governments must provide
regulations and a system of taxation which encourage firms to
preserve the environment, employ disadvantaged workers, and create
jobs in depressed areas. Managers and stockholders should not be
torn between their responsibilities to their organizations and their
responsibilities toward society as a whole.
Economic Justice for All, #118
Government officials, it is your concern to mobilize your peoples to
form a more effective world solidarity, and above all to make them
accept the necessary taxes on their luxuries and their wasteful
expenditures, in order to bring about development and to save the
peace.
On the Development of Peoples, #84
The struggle against destitution, though urgent and necessary, is
not enough. It is a question, rather, of building a world where
every man, no matter what his race, religion or nationality, can
live a fully human life, freed from servitude imposed on him by
other men or by natural forces over which he has not sufficient
control; a world where freedom is not an empty word and where the
poor man Lazarus can sit down at the same table with the rich man.
This demands great generosity, much sacrifice and unceasing effort
on the part of the rich man.
Let each one examine his conscience, a conscience that conveys a new
message for our times. Is he prepared to support out of his own
pocket works and undertakings organized in favor of the most
destitute?
Is he ready to pay higher taxes so that the public authorities can
intensify their efforts in favor of development? Is he ready to pay
a higher price for imported goods so that the producer may be more
justly rewarded? Or to leave his country, if necessary and if he is
young, in order to assist in this development of the young nations?
On the Development of Peoples, #47
There may be more recent writings from the Catholic Bishops and the Pope, but these were writings for us to savor into the Second Millenium.