Saturday, December 8, 2007

If Only Our Politicians And Clergymen Were That Corageous

New Brunswick pro-lifer David Little, who's been refusing to pay his income taxes since 2000, is determined to fight to the end. About a month ago, the judge ordered David to file his tax returns and pay $3000 fine; failure to do so by March 31 could result in a 66-day jail term. That doesn't scare David. He would rather sacrifice his freedom, than his conscience.

Here are a few quotes from his letter that was forwarded to me today:
Many of you already know of my legal fight against tax-funded abortion. I was convicted November 9, (911 reversed) of failing to file my income tax despite written constitutional arguments based centrally on freedom of conscience and religion. In the infamous 1988 R. Vs. Morgentaler SCC case which left us with no abortion restrictions whatever, Justice Bertha Wilson co-wrote the majority opinion. Ironically this statement in that Supreme Court of Canada decision was the basis of our case, to wit: my formed Catholic conscience would not permit me to file my income taxes any longer knowing that a portion of every penny surrendered to the government would be used for abortion/murder.
...
From the beginning in countless hearings and the trial itself I have made it clear that I will go to jail rather than pay any fine or file ever again unless laws are passed or amended prohibiting taxes to be used to pay for these murders. I have been ordered by the court to file 3 tax forms by March 31, 2008 and of course, I will not. I was only charged with failing to file for three years, 2000, 2001 and 2002, they will no doubt continue to charge me with the remaining years 5 years, 2003 to 2007. A physician has pledged to financially care for my family as long as I am in jail. I will write to my wife and little children every day. I love them all so much, I will miss them to death, and being forced to part will be the greatest loss in my life. But it is small compared to the loss suffered by victims of abortion.

I take comfort and courage from the teachings of my faith. Three million of our brothers and sisters have been murdered in the womb since 1968. Imagine that, think about that deeply please. THREE MILLION INNOCENT CHILDREN KILLED WITH MY MONEY AND YOUR MONEY.
We may disagree with David. Many of us may find his way of protesting somewhat controversial. Some would probably suggest that if he didn't want his taxes to go towards abortion funding, he could just take advantage of all the tax breaks out there, reducing the amount of income tax payable to zero. Others would view his efforts as pointless because no government would ever allow conscious objections to taxation, because abortion expenses constitute less than 0.1% of New Brunswick's $6Billion budget or because apart from the income tax, we also have the sales tax, which, of course, can't be avoided...

Still, David's courage to openly resist state funding of abortions deserves respect. David is not a politician and, as far as I understand, he's not a clergyman. And yet he has the courage to stand up for what is right despite the enormous pressure he faces. If we had more bishops as courageous as David, so they spoke up against the perverse trends in our society, instead of being worried about their charitable status; if we had more politicians who had the guts to stand up for their conscience, rather than bending backwards for a party leader - there would be no reason for David to refuse to file his tax return.

4 comments:

Marginalized Action Dinosaur said...

But, but I get a refund every year,

If I didn't file they would get more money.

hmmmm,

Leonard said...

That's true. Me too, I get overcharged by Revenue Canada, so unless I file my return, I'll be donating them a couple thousands of dollars every year.

But for David it's not the money that matters, but the principle. He chose not to cooperate with a government that funds abortions. The idea is - whatever you rip off me through sales taxes and payroll deductions - heck with that, keep it; but don't expect me to help you raise funds that, among other things, go towards state-funded abortions.

Marginalized Action Dinosaur said...

So by filing mine I'm protesting,,,,?

I wish him luck I can only put myself on the line so often.


When the human rights comissions catch up to me I'm doomed.

Leonard said...

It's a different form of protest. We try to make sure the government doesn't get too much of our money. While David simply refuses to engage in any sort of cooperation with the government which misuses his money by funding abortions.

Our form of protest is more common, more legitimate and barely noticeable. David's form of protest is more controversial; it might not be legal, but it's sure noticeable.