Defining Limits on Taxation - Brutus VII
Brutus VII is an Anti-Federalist Paper that argues for a limit on the Federal Government’s power of taxation.
Brutus VII
January 3, 1788
In Brutus VII, the Anti-Federalist author continues the discussion regarding the powers of the Federal Government under the Constitution.
Specifically, Brutus looks into the exact issues with unlimited power of taxation and why it will not be good for the nation at large.
Federalist #23
Brutus begins this Paper by responding to Federalist #23.
Primarily, he is concerned with Publis’ statement that the inability to predict what might happen in the future necessitates the need for unlimited ability to raise money for public safety.
Instead, Brutus believed there should be specifically defined limits to what Congress can do to raise money and how much can be raised.
Specifics
Brutus points to two specific examples to back up his claim.
The first was in February of 1781 when the Continental Congress called for imposts at 5%. Despite being in the middle of the Revolutionary War (exactly the situation where public safety was a real concern), Congress still specifically defined how much could be taxed and on what products.
Furthermore, in early 1783, Congress again attempted to raise revenue and again specifically defined what the money could be spent on.
Leave It To The People
Brutus acknowledges that changes had to be made to the Articles of Confederation and concedes that the Federal Government should be in charge of protecting the United States from foreign invasion.
Furthermore, he acknowledges that money needed to be raised and specifically defines taxation on imports as proper for the Federal Government to collect. His main issue is that the power to raise funds was unlimited.
As for unpredictable situations, Brutus submits the Revolutionary War itself...when the nation is in a true crisis, the people will step up for their country.
If you would like to read the original text of Brutus VI, click here to get it for FREE.
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