The official blog of the American Chesterton Society where we talk about anything Chesterton talks about or writes about; including everything and everything else.
"You should not look a gift universe in the mouth." GKC
That reminds me of a "fee" we pay in our town, to "register" our vehicles. We get a village sticker each year. We pay $10, and it's required. One year, I asked my husband, what was the difference between paying this vehicle "fee" and paying a tax, and he said what Chesterton said, "the fee is less." Yet, it *is* a tax, isn't it?
After WWII, taxation in England was raised to near-crippling levels in order to pay for all the damage that was sustained during the war. A lot of people who enjoyed comfortable incomes from investments during the pre-war years had their incomes slashed by half or more. A number of commentators believe that the economic devastation and the subsequent psychological toll of jacked-up taxes during the late 1940's and '50's played a role in what Chestertonians view as the "decline" of morality, civic unity, and even decline in religious faith, although I'm not sure how accurate this view is. Just felt like mentioning it.
Chris said: "1940's and '50's played a role in what Chestertonians view as the "decline" of morality, civic unity, and even decline in religious faith, although I'm not sure how accurate this view is."
I think we can blame it on the Beetles, don't you?!
And if that is the excuse for England for the "loose" morals of the 60s and 70s, what can we Americans say is our excuse? We didn't have a war to clean up.
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"One can hardly tell the difference between a tax and a fine, except that the fine is usually much lighter."
ReplyDelete-- G.K. Chesterton
That reminds me of a "fee" we pay in our town, to "register" our vehicles. We get a village sticker each year. We pay $10, and it's required.
ReplyDeleteOne year, I asked my husband, what was the difference between paying this vehicle "fee" and paying a tax, and he said what Chesterton said, "the fee is less." Yet, it *is* a tax, isn't it?
You mean the village where you live charges a motor vehicle "fee" over and above what you pay Illinois each year for license plate tags?? Sheesh!!!
ReplyDeleteYep! And I don't even know what they use the money for.
ReplyDeleteTAXATION WITHOUT EXPLANATION! We should throw our village stickers in the millpond in protest!
After WWII, taxation in England was raised to near-crippling levels in order to pay for all the damage that was sustained during the war. A lot of people who enjoyed comfortable incomes from investments during the pre-war years had their incomes slashed by half or more. A number of commentators believe that the economic devastation and the subsequent psychological toll of jacked-up taxes during the late 1940's and '50's played a role in what Chestertonians view as the "decline" of morality, civic unity, and even decline in religious faith, although I'm not sure how accurate this view is. Just felt like mentioning it.
ReplyDeleteHi Chanster! :)
ReplyDeleteChris said: "1940's and '50's played a role in what Chestertonians view as the "decline" of morality, civic unity, and even decline in religious faith, although I'm not sure how accurate this view is."
ReplyDeleteI think we can blame it on the Beetles, don't you?!
And if that is the excuse for England for the "loose" morals of the 60s and 70s, what can we Americans say is our excuse? We didn't have a war to clean up.