America: Freedom to Fascism by Aaron Russo .... Any thoughts? Does anybody NOT file federal income tax return?

Question

I watched this documentary and was amazed at what our government is pulling off. I know you can't believe everything that's on the internet, but this is a credible producer and a convincing film.

My thoughts:

It is amazing what the Federal Reserve is pulling off. I think our last chance to get out of this hole is to climb out now. Period. If we wait any longer we are trapped. The people behind the Federal Reserve control laws, money, media, and in essence our future. Its amazing that so many people are in favor of Ron Paul for president, but he's dropped out of the race because the reserve controls who's President, not the people.

I think the IRS tax also has to be stopped. Think about it...there is no law. Organized civil disobedience is the only solution and we need a leader to put us on track.

I also think technology is too far ahead of us for our own good. It made complete sense that we don't know if votes are getting rigged. Paper ballots are the only way to be sure there is no scam.

Answer 1

Yes, I saw it. As a liberatarian and a person who loves documentaries, I was hoping for great things. But I was very disappointed. I found the film to be intellectually dishonest and a vehicle for the filmmaker to further his political beliefs with blatant misformation.

But don't take my word for it. From the NY Times:

"Facts Refute Filmmaker’s Assertions on Income Tax in ‘America’"

"...examination of the assertions in Mr. Russo’s documentary.. shows... they ... collapse under the weight of fact."

"Many of the reviews in major newspapers have accepted as having some factual basis the film’s main contention, ... even though every court that has ever ruled on these issues has upheld the constitutionality of the income tax.

"... Mr. Russo says ...that the Internal Revenue Service has refused every request to show any law making Americans liable for an income tax on their wages. ... Yet among those thanked in the credits for their help in making the film is Anthony Burke, an I.R.S. spokesman. Mr. Burke said that when Mr. Russo called him asking what law required the payment of income taxes on wages, he sent Mr. Russo a link to documents, including Title 26 of the United States Code, citing the specific sections that require income taxes be paid on wages. Title 26 says on its face that it is law enacted by Congress."

"..Arguments made in court that the income tax is invalid are so baseless that Congress has authorized fines of $25,000 for anyone who makes them..."

"... Mr. Russo says in the film that the 16th Amendment was never properly ratified and thus a tax on wages is unconstitutional. This claim has been made in various forms by thousands of tax protesters since 1913, and so far their batting average with the courts is .000. To buttress the claim that the 16th Amendment is invalid, the film displays a quotation from a federal district judge, James C. Fox. But the transcript from which the judge’s words were taken shows that while he spoke those words, they were in the context of laying out issues and that the conclusion he reached was the opposite of the words quoted."

(ref: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/31/movies... )

Russo is part of a movement often called "tax protestors" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_protest... ) A more accurate term would be "tax law deniers". They surround themselves in dubious legal claims that thrive within their community, but fall short in the courts. For more detail on some of the income tax arguments, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_protest...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_protest...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_protest...

The allegations in the film on the Federal Reserve? These are more based on old conspiracy theories than fact.  for more info on that, see

http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Emb...

http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/flaher...

http://famguardian.org/Subjects/MoneyBan...

http://webskeptic.wikidot.com/federal-re...

Answer 2

You dont have to file a return, you do have to pay the taxes and if you owe at the end of the year you must pay the debt, but if you worked and are entitled to a refund ,you dont have to file,your emplyer files the information with the goverment, if you dont file and get the money back,thats up to you, my sister in laws father hasnt ever filed a return,on religious/political grounds...longs as you dont owe them money they wont care...if you do owe them moeny and absolutely dont not pay, well you'll have fun making those pretty license plates,but the s*x will be hard to get used to.