Quotes about Equal Taxation

Mario Cuomo

Tax should be the same for everybody.

John Quincy Adams

The object of taxation is to raise a revenue for discharging the debts and defraying the expenses of the community, its operation should be adapted as much as possible to suit the burden with equal hand upon all in proportion with their ability of bearing it without oppression.

This is one of the first American Presidential statements citing the virtue of progressive taxation. What was an oppressive tax for one person might not be for another.

Isaac Jan Alexander Gogel

By an equal obligation … every citizen with the same means would pay the same contributions [taxes]; the common man would not be more heavily imposed upon.

Throughout most of the world, the rich and the aristocrats have been able to reduce or eliminate their tax obligations with the burden falling more heavily on the common people. Progressive taxation was thought to be a solution, but even in the United States by the 21st century many huge corporations paid little or no taxes while there was a heavy tax burden on small companies. Rich people generally paid a smaller percentage of their income than middle class people.

Ulysses S. Grant

I would suggest the taxation of all property equally, whether church or corporation.

Lucretia Mott

Women's property has been taxed, equally with that of men's, to sustain colleges endowed by the states; but they have not been permitted to enter those high seminaries of learning.

Jean-Baptiste Say

Taxation being a burthen, must needs weigh lightest on each individual, when it bears upon all alike.

Ulysses S. Grant

So vast a sum, receiving all the protection and benefits of the government, without bearing its proportion of the burdens and expenses of the same, will not be looked upon acquiescently by those who have to pay the taxes. . . . I would suggest the taxation of all property equally.

James A. Garfield

The divorce between church and state should be absolute. It ought to be so absolute that no Church property anywhere, in any state, or in the nation, should be exempt from equal taxation; for if you exempt the property of any church organization, to that extent you impose a tax upon the whole community.

Ulysses S. Grant

I would suggest the taxation of all property equally, whether church or corporation, exempting only the last resting place of the dead and possibly, with proper restrictions, church edifices.

Frederic Bastiat

Which countries contain the most peaceful, the most moral, and the happiest people? Those people are found in the countries where the law least interferes with private affairs; where the government is least felt; where the individual has the greatest scope, and free opinion the greatest influence; where the administrative powers are fewest and simplest; where taxes are lightest and most nearly equal

Equal Taxation Quotes