Its Time for West Virginia to Eliminate Food Tax Essay -- Argumentati

It's Time for West Virginia to Eliminate Food Tax Can you recall an incident in American history involving disgruntled citizens dumping tea into the Boston Harbor? I can. This tea dumping was one of the foremost events of the revolution. Do you remember why these angry citizens dressed as Indians, stormed one of their own boats, and dumped all of the crates of tea into the harbor? The English monarchy’s taxing of the settlers’ tea caused this uprising. Right now, West Virginia’s government is levying an almost identical tax; the government is taxing the very food that West Virginians eat for survival. Doesn’t the government tax enough each year without taxing something that is required for our very sustenance? According to USA Today, "The government takes more money in other taxes each year than the average American spends on food, shelter, and clothing combined." (Armey, internet) At least the first Americans could choose whether or not they would drink tea. Currently, West Virginians do not have the cho ice whether or not to eat food. Why should we have to pay any more than the store charges us for the food? It is time for the legislature in West Virginia to reform West Virginia’s tax system and do away with the ridiculous tax on food. Initially, a West Virginia food tax doesn’t seem like such a bad idea, but after contemplating the principles, it becomes more and more unethical. Ethically, why should West Virginians pay tax on food when many other American citizens do not? Consequently, a West Virginia food tax is unethical in that it punishes the poor. Every year in West Virginia, poor children go hungry because their families can’t afford to put food on the table. I conducted an independent survey involving fifty anon... ... On Food Would Aid The Poor" St Louis Post Dispatch. 3-28-97 page 1 and 2 Bill Rankin. "Like most tax cuts, state’s elimination of food sales tax hinders real: reform". Atlanta Journal and Constitution. 6 October 1996. http://www.elibrary.com/ Sam Attlesey. "Democrats support sales tax amendment: Proposal would ban levy on food, medicine". The Dallas Morning News. 19 March 1998. www.elibrary.com Andrew Cain. "Help take a bite out of food tax". The Washington Times". 29 September 1998. Gene Callahan. "Bandersnatch Tax cut Proposal". http://www.bandersnatch.com/ Warren McGraw. "Elect Warren McGraw to the supreme court". Radio Commercial. 27 October 1998. Staton, Rick. Personal interview. 7 Nov. 1998. Cecil Underwood. "Governor’s Commission on Fair Taxation". www.state.wv.us/fairtax/agenda.htm Cadle, Pat. Personal interview. 8 Nov. 1998