Colorado Economy

8/27/2023 — Marla Fernandez

Let’s dive into the conversation about averting that looming economic collapse – but with a splash of enthusiasm and a dash of persuasive charm, shall we? 🌟

Let’s infuse a bit of Marla into this! 🌟

Imagine this: we’re on the brink of an economic cliff, but hey, we’re not letting that dampen our spirits! Let’s dive into the wild world of tax talk – trust me, it’s about to get thrilling.

So, here’s the deal, folks: saving ourselves from the jaws of economic disaster should be at the top of every state’s to-do list. Now, hold onto your hats, because I’m throwing out a bold idea for you Coloradans – what if we ditched that federal income tax? Yep, you heard me right! It’s like shaking off a heavy backpack full of worries, especially the ones tagged “White House Administration” and “Federal Reserve.” Those guys have been running the show, including the interest rate rodeo, and it’s high time we give them a little break, don’t you think?

But wait, history buffs, let’s rewind a bit. Our founding superstars never really meant for the federal government to directly scoop up our hard-earned dollars. Yet, in a plot twist, Congress rolled out the 16th Amendment back in 1913, giving Uncle Sam the power to directly tap into individual income. Enter stage left: the IRS and its not-so-welcome tax collection dance. And well, this expanded the federal government, but was it part of the original script? Nope, not really! Our visionary framers set it up so Congress would pull money strings as needed, as long as it jived with the “rule of apportionment” (look it up in Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution).

Here’s the juicy part: the framers basically reserved the “INTERNAL Taxation” card for the state governments. They gave a thumbs-down to the national folks taxing us directly. Instead, they were cool with the U.S. Government handling the “EXTERNAL” tax gigs – think imported goodies and whatnot. It’s like they put the “States” sign on one door and the “Fed” sign on the other, keeping things nice and organized. Smart move, right?

And check this out – the framers had a theory that state governments needed the cash to keep their show running. They argued that if the federal gang had an endless supply of tax power, it could mess with the states’ ability to provide for themselves. A bit like your sibling raiding your candy stash, if you catch my drift.

Fast forward to 1913, and bam! Amendment 16 bursts onto the scene, kinda like an unexpected guest crashing your party. This feels like a power grab by the feds, and it’s in direct opposition to our framers’ worries about overpowered national taxation. It’s like that awkward moment when someone starts hogging the dance floor at your favorite party, right?

Now, here’s where it gets extra interesting. According to the Federalist Papers, the real mojo of the republic rests with us, the people, and our state governments. It’s like the ultimate tag team duo, with the states leading the way. Hamilton, the wordsmith of the Founding Fathers, even mentioned in his Federalist Paper No. 32 that states would keep their authority to tax their own folks. If the national folks tried to mess with this, it’d be like someone crashing your family reunion – totally uncalled for!

But whoa, Amendment 16 decides to play party pooper, totally snubbing the framers’ plans. It’s like inviting everyone to your shindig and then saying, “Nah, we’re doing things my way.” This amendment not only consolidates states into one big sovereignty pot but also takes away their say and hands it to the “Union.” Talk about a DJ switch without asking for song requests!

Now, here’s where we make our move, folks. Let’s march into January like a parade of change-makers! By ditching the federal income tax in Colorado, we’re throwing confetti on the old script and penning a new one. Sure, it might raise a few eyebrows and cause a ruckus with the federal bigwigs, but hey, who said change was boring?

You might be thinking, “But wait, won’t this stir the pot with Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3?” Great question! The Supreme Court can be the referee, stepping in and giving their verdict on this tax tango. So, here’s the grand finale – let’s unite and shake off the shackles of federal income taxes in Colorado. January’s the time to show the world that we’re the dance captains of change, twirling into a future where our citizens don’t have to carry those extra tax burdens in these turbulent times. Get ready, Colorado, because the dance floor of financial freedom is calling! 🎉💃🕺