Ron Paul: Collect Tax Revenues

Ron Paul Money Quote saying the government has an income shortfall, so alternatives are to manufacture cash or borrow more. Ron Paul said:
 

 

“When the federal government spends more each year than it collects in tax revenues, it has three choices: It can raise taxes, print money, or borrow money. While these actions may benefit politicians, all three options are bad for average Americans” — Ron Paul

In this quote, Ron Paul is outlining the options available to the federal government when its spending exceeds the tax revenue it collects. The best interpretation is:

• Raising taxes places additional burden on citizens and businesses.
• Printing more money can lead to higher inflation as the money supply increases, devaluing people’s savings.
• Borrowing money grows the national debt and passes financial obligations on to future generations in the form of interest payments.

Paul believes all of these choices may benefit politicians politically but ultimately hurt average Americans either through higher costs of living, inflation, or a mounting debt load.

The overall message is that Paul views deficit spending as unsustainable and harmful, with any attempts to remedy budget shortfalls coming at the expense of ordinary taxpayers according to his analysis.

Peter De Vries: Pay Less Taxes

Peter De Vries Money Quote saying the wealthy somehow pay less in taxes than the rest of us. Peter De Vries said:
 

 

“The rich aren’t like us, they pay less taxes” — Peter De Vries

In this quote, Peter De Vries seems to be wryly commenting on the ability of wealthy individuals and corporations to take advantage of complex tax laws and loopholes to reduce their tax burdens. Specifically:

• De Vries notes that “the rich aren’t like us” in that they do not pay taxes at the same effective rates as average citizens due to their greater access to tax planning and avoidance strategies.
• He implies the affluent are “not like” everyday taxpayers in that they are able to “pay less taxes” through the use of exemptions, deductions, offshore havens and other means unavailable to most.

The best interpretation is that De Vries is making a sardonic observation about the realities of an inequitable tax system where those with higher incomes and more sophisticated advisors can significantly lower their tax bills through legal provisions and structures unavailable to middle and lower income individuals according to his perspective on the tax advantages that come with wealth through disproportionate access to reduction techniques.

Birthday: February 27, 1910 – Death: September 28, 1993

Francis Moore: Battles, Taxes, Debt

Francis Moore Money Quote saying that after a long hard-fought war, we’re left with widows, taxes & debt. Francis Moore said:
 

 

“When after many battles past, Both tir’d with blows, make peace at last, What is it, after all, the people get? Why! taxes, widows, wooden legs, and debt” — Francis Moore

This quote from Francis Moore seems to be criticizing what ordinary people experience after a long period of war. The battles have left both sides tired from fighting each other. When they finally make peace, Moore questions what benefits the common people receive.

His answer is that they are left with increased taxes to pay for the war, many widows who have lost their husbands in battle, injured soldiers who receive “wooden legs” as prosthetics, and growing national debt from the costs of fighting the war.

Overall, Moore seems to be saying that while the political leaders and generals may find peace, ordinary citizens are still left suffering the financial and personal consequences of the conflict for a long time after it ends.

Birthday: 1858, date of death unknown

Charles Tilly: War Making States

Charles Tilly Money Quote saying any state. which makes war inevitably borrows heavily, increases taxes and soldiers from a resistant citizenry. Charles Tilly said:
 

 

“Almost all war making states borrow extensively, raise taxes, and seize the means of combat – including men – from reluctant citizens” — Charles Tilly

In this quote, Charles Tilly is describing common practices that states typically engage in to finance and fight wars. His interpretation is that nations will often take on significant debt through borrowing, increase tax revenue collection from citizens, and conscript men into military service against their wishes in order to mobilize resources for warfare.

Tilly seems to be suggesting that war making almost inevitably requires states to leverage reluctant populations and future generations through these coercive fiscal and personnel measures.

The overall message conveyed is that waging major conflicts appears to depend on states widely employing unpopular taxation, debt accumulation and human conscription to extract the “means of combat” from citizens who would prefer not to directly support or participate in the wars.

Birthday: May 27, 1929 – Death: April 29, 2008

Walter F. Mondale: Raise Your Tax

Walter F. Mondale Money Quote saying as presidential candidate in his 1984 Democratic convention acceptance speech that he would be honest about increasing taxes. Walter F. Mondale said:
 

 

“Let’s tell the truth. Mr. Reagan will raise taxes, and so will I. He won’t tell you. I just did” — Walter F. Mondale

In this quote, former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale is contrasting his own candid honesty with President Ronald Reagan’s rhetoric during the 1984 presidential election. He directly states that both he and Reagan would need to raise taxes if elected, but implies Reagan was avoiding or obscuring that likelihood.

Mondale suggests he was distinguishing himself by openly acknowledging hard political truths that others gloss over with optimistic spin.

Overall, the quote portrays Mondale emphasizing transparency and truth over vague promises, even at the risk of unpopular stances, as the best approach to engage voters and a responsible contrast to his opponent’s messaging.

Birthday: January 5, 1928 – Death: April 19, 2021

Robert Reich: Poverty-Level Wages

Robert Reich Money Quote saying those working full time jobs at minimum wage are costing the government in subsidies for those same families, so employers should contribute or pay more to workers. Robert Reich said:
 

 

“Poverty-level wages cost U.S. taxpayers $152.8 billion a year in public support for working families. So it’s only logical to raise taxes on big companies that give their workers poverty-level wages, to pay for this subsidy” — Robert Reich

In this quote, Robert Reich is making the argument that large companies which pay their workers very low, poverty-level wages are effectively being subsidized by taxpayers.

He notes that it costs the US public an estimated $152.8 billion annually to provide support like food stamps, Medicaid and tax credits to working families who still live in poverty despite being employed.

Reich proposes that rather than taxpayers footing this bill, companies should be taxed more if they are paying wages so low that their workers still require public assistance.

By raising taxes on these large firms, it could help offset the costs that taxpayers incur to support these working poor.

Overall, Reich is advocating for higher taxes on big businesses as a way to recoup some of the public subsidies that go to prop up the low wages paid by profitable corporations.

Poverty-level wages cost U.S. taxpayers $152.8 billion a year in public support for working families. So it's only logical to raise taxes on big companies that give their workers poverty-level wages, to pay for this subsidy.

— Robert Reich (@RBReich) February 28, 2021

Marvin Gaye: Can’t Pay My Taxes

Marvin Gaye Money Quote saying that it’s frustrating to be unable to pay taxes when struggling to get by – from ‘Inner City Blues’ 1971. Marvin Gaye sang:
 

 

“Natural fact is. I can’t pay my taxes. Oh, make me wanna holler. And throw up both my hands” — Marvin Gaye

In this lyric, Marvin Gaye is expressing feelings of frustration and despair related to financial difficulties. The lines suggest he is unable to pay taxes owed, to the extent that it makes him want to cry out loudly and throw his hands up in exasperation. Gaye appears to be conveying the stress of not having enough money or resources to meet his fiscal obligations through no fault of his own, but simply due to lack of means.

Overall, the lyric captures a sense of disillusionment and helplessness in the face of economic challenges beyond one’s control through no lack of effort or willingness to comply with responsibilities.

Birthday: September 15, 1903 – Death: November 23, 1992

Erving Goffman: Taxes Instincts

Erving Goffman Money Quote saying Taxes are for humans like instincts are for animals. Erving Goffman said:
 

 

“Man is not like other animals in the ways that are really significant: animals have instincts, we have taxes” — Erving Goffman

In this quote, Erving Goffman seems to be highlighting a key difference between humans and other animals – our relationship with money and financial obligations. By stating that while animals have “instincts”, humans have “taxes”, Goffman implies that where animals are driven primarily by innate biological urges, human behavior is also shaped by socioeconomic factors like managed revenue collection for governments.

The quote conveys Goffman’s perspective that the human experience, unlike other creatures, necessarily involves navigating responsibilities to contribute funds that support public services and infrastructure. Overall, he appears to be arguing that financial responsibilities stemming from organized society distinguish the human condition from our animal brethren governed more directly by evolutionary hardwiring alone.

Birthday: June 11, 1922 – November 19, 1982