# I'm not sure why, but the "Tea Party" Tax Protests really rub me the wrong way. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 15, 2009, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149 "2009-04-15T05:01:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Linear\_Crack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Linear\_Crack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linear_Crack)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/221 "2009-04-16T22:42:37Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I see the teabaggings as basically just a right wing media publicity stunt. It was all totally conceived, hyped and sponsored by talk radio and Fox News. They’re manipulating complete morons into showing up to protest the expiration of a 3% tax cut on rich people who would never let these yahoos into their living rooms. First off, I find it interesting that the liberals on this message board are so familiar with the act of teabagging :eek:. Secondly, the obsessive need to use the term over and over and over again in an attempt minimize the positive impact these protests have had on hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Americans. I mean look, it’s OK to be afraid, but do the world a favor and check your sexual habits at the door. I have to say that I’m beside myself with joy that you think this was only about taxes. It just goes to show that your ignorance as to why these Tea Parties took place is on par with the UhbamUh AdminUHstration’s denial of their existance. Your blindness is exactly what the opposers of this out-of-control goverment spending is counting on. I hear these “yahoos” are planning another silly get-together. Your continued dismissal of this “right wing media publicity stunt” is most welcome. -LC ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/222 "2009-04-16T22:45:37Z")
> [@Linear\_Crack](#): > > First off, I find it interesting that the liberals on this message board are so familiar with the act of teabagging :eek:. Secondly, the obsessive need to use the term over and over and over again in an attempt minimize the positive impact these protests have had on hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Americans. I mean look, it’s OK to be afraid, but do the world a favor and check your sexual habits at the door. Ah horseshit. It’s freaking hilarious that these right-wing cry babies are so out of touch with anything hip that they … \*they \*… adopt the term “teabaggers” and there’s no effing way that isn’t going to be made fun of until the wheels fall off. ---
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/223 "2009-04-16T22:52:42Z")
What’s this “teabagging” shit? Have any of the participants themselves actually used that word, or is it just something the left tried to hang on it? Like when you’re 12 years old and you see a rainbow and you say to your friends, “huh huh, rainbows are gay.” ---
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/224 "2009-04-16T22:53:43Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Ah horseshit. It’s freaking hilarious that these right-wing cry babies are so out of touch with anything hip that they … \*they \*… adopt the term “teabaggers” and there’s no effing way that isn’t going to be made fun of until the wheels fall off. You just said teabagging is hip, you teabagger 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/225 "2009-04-16T23:00:57Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > “Well, I think so, Brain. But does that mean that Bernie Saunders sacrifices babies to Satan? \* Naaaarf\*!” > [@](#): > > That’s where the truth lies, right down here in the gut. Do you know you have more nerve endings in your gut than you have in your head? You can look it up. I know some of you are going to say “I did look it up, and that’s not true.” That’s 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut. I did. My gut tells me that’s how our nervous system works. -Stephen Colbert ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/226 "2009-04-16T23:17:42Z")
> [@Linear\_Crack](#): > > I mean look, it’s OK to be afraid, but do the world a favor and check your sexual habits at the door. I am not teabagging in a door. > [@](#): > > I have to say that I’m beside myself with joy that you think this was only about taxes. Exactly. The fact it was held on tax day, was to commemorate the protest over the 1773 tax protest in Boston, and is called the TaxDayTeaProtest is coincidence. Mostly it was about impotent gestures of idiocy, gullibility, and a way for the core Fox audience “to extend a laurel and a hardy handshake to our brand new [del]ni[/del] president”. > [@](#): > > It just goes to show that your ignorance as to why these Tea Parties took place is on par with the UhbamUh AdminUHstration’s denial of their existance. I’m not sure if your spelling is something you picked up on “Glenn Beck’s Connect the Dots Jokebook” or if your spelling is just on part with that of other zealous message board posters, but when exactly did UhbamUh deny the existence of the tea parties? > [@](#): > > Your blindness is exactly what the opposers of this out-of-control goverment spending is counting on. I thought this wasn’t about taxes? Do make up your mind. > [@](#): > > I hear these “yahoos” are planning another silly get-together. Your continued dismissal of this “right wing media publicity stunt” is most welcome. -LC Anytime. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/227 "2009-04-16T23:33:07Z")
Given the spectacular success of this one, I think we can definitely look forward to a repeat. Mostly, because it doesn’t need to make any money, so it doesn’t matter what an abysmal failure it is, they’ll just toddle down to Fat Cat’s 'R Us and pick up a few more buttloads of Benjamins. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/228 "2009-04-16T23:33:17Z")
> [@Hyperelastic](#): > > You just said teabagging is hip, you teabagger 😛 Hey, the hippest cats I know all teabag. Hell, on a good night, just call me Tetley. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/229 "2009-04-16T23:34:01Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Mindboggling indeed,](http://www.salon.com/comics/tomo/2009/04/07/tomo/index.html) since the Boston Tea Party was a protest against taxation without representation. Which is the opposite of what the teabaggers are protesting. They’re protesting representation without taxation ? What the hell do they have against Cirque du Soleil ? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/230 "2009-04-16T23:43:15Z")
Well, I sure as hell didn’t know, and I’m\* totally \*hip. I have a standing reservation at the Home for the Chronically Groovy. I got “tea bagging” from my son, the Err Apparent, who was wailing and gnashing his teeth because he got zapped on Halo 3 and “tea bagged” by a 12 year old girl. (snicker) Anyway, so far as I knew it was nothing other than a humiliation ritual display, I didn’t realize it had homosexual practice connotations until it was explained to me in entirely too much detail. With that smug know-it-all look those punks get when they explain something modern to the Ancient of Daze. I’ll wait. Youth and strength is no match for age and treachery. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/231 "2009-04-16T23:51:25Z")
It has been fun to notice that the protesters ignored that mottoes like “tea bag the liberals before they tea bag you” had other meanings. They still insist that a motto like that is in reference to the original tax protest of 1773, but this is only possible by ignoring that tea bags were not invented until the 20th century. And I was amazed that almost no one on the right was bothering to point out the sexual meaning and the problems it could generate: [http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/04/freedomworks-finally-gets-around-to-it.php](http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/04/freedomworks-finally-gets-around-to-it.php) > [@](#): > > It’s probably fair to assume that back in 1773, the word “teabagging” didn’t make everyone–from immature bloggers to perfectly mature mainstream media types–giggle like school children. But even still the would-be founding fathers took the appropriate precautionary measures, and dumped tons of loose tea (not tons of tea bags) into the Boston Harbor. > > Unfortunately, it took today’s tea party protesters almost two months to get the memo. I mean, an actual memo: > > > [@](#): > > > > The term “teabagging” has strong sexual connotations. Be wary of anyone with a camera asking you if you are a “teabagger” or if you enjoy “teabagging” or similar leading questions - they are trying to make a fool of you. > > The one-page flyer was written by one Ross Kaminsky–a FreedomWorks blogger and contributor to the conservative magazine Human Events–who describes himself as a professional derivative trader and a Heartland Institute fellow. > > That’s a lot of responsibilities–so it’s no surprise that he got around to sounding this alarm a bit too late. Teabagging jokes have been making their way around the Internet ever since the first protests in late February, and not just by immature irony-minded liberals. In fact, conservatives got there first. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/232 "2009-04-17T00:23:12Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > They’re protesting representation without taxation ? What the hell do they have against Cirque du Soleil ? Apparently that sign is saying that poor people don’t pay taxes, so they shouldn’t get to vote. Which is stupid and wrong, but actually makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Gotterfunken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@Gotterfunken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gotterfunken)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/233 "2009-04-17T00:37:06Z")
The Huffington Post has hundreds of photos from various Tea Parties on this page: [10 Most Offensive Tea Party Signs](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/16/10-most-offensive-tea-par_n_187554.html) (despite the headline, far more than 10 photos are posted there). Judging by the signs that the Teabaggers were waving around, their message was all over the place. Nevertheless, the most popular themes seemed to be: [ul] [li]Obama is a Marxist commie-socialist-fascist (often accompanied by pictures of Obama as Mao or Hitler, and lots of hammers n’ sickles)[/li] [li]I’m getting taxed to death [/li] [li]Stop punishing success (also, “Spread the work ethic, not my money”)[/li] [li]Socialism = equal miseries; Capitalism = unequal blessings[/li] [li]Leave my money alone and keep your “change” (and lots of other parodies of Obama campaign slogans)[/li] [li]I’m too young to vote but I’m already in debt (and other protests against the deficit, typically carried by or attached to children and infants)[/li] [li]America is a Christian nation–small government under God, etc.[/li] [li]Obama is a Muslim, as proven by his bowing before his Muslim king[/li] [li]Obama loves to kill babies (and other various anti-abortion messages)[/li] [li]Why won’t Obama show us his birth certificate?[/li] [li]I’m clinging to my God and my guns![/li] [li]It took 232 years to build America as a republic, but only 32 days for Obama to destroy it (popular variant: “America, 1776-2008: RIP”)[/ul][/li] I’m paraphrasing most of them (the messages were often less coherent than I’ve rendered them, although, to be fair, there were a few signs that were somewhat amusing, albeit overshadowed by the bat-shit crazy ones). Anyway, you get the idea. The one thing everybody seemed to be in agreement on was that Obama was indeed a socialist (just as Palin warned us!), and that America is already becoming a totalitarian communist state, as demonstrated by the “anti-capitalist” bail-out and the stimulus plan. Now, I’m all in favor of demonstrations, and I think there’s plenty to criticize about the bail-out in particular… but this claim that Obama has brought a tyrannical communist regime into power (and destroyed America’s fundamental values) is complete and hyperbolic nonsense. I had hoped that, after the election, the right-wing paranoia that manifested itself at Palin’s rallies would eventually disappear. Instead, it seems to be spreading, and the Faux News and their allies are fanning the flames as fiercely as they can. It would be funny if it weren’t so creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/234 "2009-04-17T01:18:08Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Really? Because **ChefGuy** is in Alaska. Assuming he was looking at a local newscast, that person might believe that because THEIR GOVERNOR SPENT SIX WEEKS TELLING THEM THAT. > > -Joe When I have an hour to kill, I’ll update you all on the incredible stupidity that is our governor. It’s like a fucking soap opera up here, with the goober and the legislature acting like it’s High School Musical 10. Un-fucking-believable. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/235 "2009-04-17T01:19:58Z")
> [@Gotterfunken](#): > > The Huffington Post has hundreds of photos from various Tea Parties on this page: [10 Most Offensive Tea Party Signs](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/16/10-most-offensive-tea-par_n_187554.html) (despite the headline, far more than 10 photos are posted there). Try and see if you can’t find the one of the Cabbage Patch Kid wearing a ball and chain! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/236 "2009-04-17T01:34:12Z")
I’m surprised there were no “Dey took ur jobbs!” signs. But then Lou Dobbs was at home. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/237 "2009-04-17T01:41:33Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Try and see if you can’t find the one of the Cabbage Patch Kid wearing a ball and chain! My favorite was somewhere in that montage there was a young man holding up a sign that said, “I shaved my balls for this?” ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/238 "2009-04-17T01:43:14Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Given the spectacular success of this one, I think we can definitely look forward to a repeat. The turnout [wasn’t all that](http://www.opednews.com/articles/Tea-Parties-Fail-to-Draw-A-by-Steven-Leser-090416-110.html) after all. Ok, time for pictures of the loonballs! Get’cher big piles of stupid here! (links are to threads with many pictures in them). So these are all the 25ish% eh? The ones who will ALWAYS vote Republican. The ones who will ALWAYS be against Democrats and Democratic ideals. The ones who will ALWAYS support Rush and Hannity and airheads like Palin. These are those people. I’ve heard about 'rm. I’ve read about 'em. Here they are, in full color (though hardly any of color). [Spelling](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8346365) is not their strong suit. Neither is [logic](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8346465) (love that “What Would Reagan Do?” sign. Well, for one, your taxes would be 12% higher under Reagan, ya ignorant dipshit. More proof that these people have no idea what they’re talking about.) [Unclear](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5466465&mesg_id=5466465) on the concept (especially the woman holding the anti-foreign creditors sign while driving a…foreign car. However, it’s nice to see the pro-choice, pro-gay marriage person with the “Keep the government out of…our business, our bedrooms” sign. Go lady, yay! Oh and, love the oversize underpants). [Oh really?](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5466465&mesg_id=5466465) (1 picture, but it’s a doozy) [More fun](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x297424) with whiny idiots (video). [Carl Marx?](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8345167) (at least one pro-Obama person there though, with a sign saying “Cut Taxes!” which President Obama just did, authorizing the largest tax cut in American history) [More idiots](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8345241). Someone’s [first hand account](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8346362), with pictures and much snark. This OpEd says it all: [Anti-Obama Taxpayer Tea Parties steeped in insanity](http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-cooper15-2009apr15,0,3158535.story) This one too: [A Short Citizen’s Guide to Kooks, Demagogues, and Right-Wingers On Tax Day](http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/04/short-citizens-guide-to-kooks.html) Crafter\_Man does deserve some credit. At least his sign was probably [spelled correctly](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8348277). There were some counter-protesters here and there. One of them in Portland had the [BEST SIGN EVER](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8346769)! Scroll down. There are several, but you’ll know the one I’m talking about. It’s educational! Last but not least, my [“favorite” picture](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8346737) of the day (“favorite” as in, favorite loonball). Chefguy, I’ve heard about this new Attorney General guy that Palin’s hot for. I would imagine that he fits in just fine with Palin’s ideas about rape (that women should pay for their own rape kit). ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/239 "2009-04-17T02:15:41Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > [Carl Marx?](http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8345167) (at least one pro-Obama person there though, with a sign saying “Cut Taxes!” which President Obama just did, authorizing the largest tax cut in American history) It took me several looks to understand that sign because, seriously, I kept reading it as a sentence: “OBAMA FED HITLER CARL MARX”, which you have to admit’s an intriguing image spelling error or not. There just aren’t a whole lot of creative people among conservatives are there? I guess this is why they can’t keep a comedy on the air or make a halfway decent anti gay marriage commercial (that “Gathering Storm” thing has even _me_ wanting to tweak it). I wonder if there’s ever been any research into this. I think it’d be funny as hell to learn that the Obamas bought stock in tea companies just before this happened. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149/240 "2009-04-17T02:21:25Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > :: post snipped and slight tangent ::: > > Well, I believe that the question should be ‘Why in the hell do we have a tax system that is so convoluted and wacked that corporations have to spend tons of money on tax lawyers so that they do not get totally fleeced?’ > > The tax code is a nightmare. The politicians, in an effort to win votes pass all kinds of tax laws that go after businesses. The same set of politicians then write in loopholes when the buisness owners freak over the taxes because they got totally screwed by the first set of tax law. The end result is a giant mess where tons of money and time is wasted on a) the tax lawyers/accountants finding loopholes b) the IRS going through the whole mess and c) politician finding more ways to complicate the whole situation. > > Taxes are too complex, with too many loopholes and too many politicans playing to contradictory special interests. > > Slee I don’t think the complexity can be effectively combatted. Rather, it’s an inherent feature of any tax system with any semblence of fairness (i.e., a system where the government determines your tax bill sure would be simple but wouldn’t be fair at all). The reason that taxes are so complex is that businesses will do whatever they can to cut their expenses. So they take aggressive positions. The IRS then takes measures to combate those positions. Taxpayers then take different positions designed to sidestep those measures, and the dance goes on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-sure-why-but-the-tea-party-tax-protests-really-rub-me-the-wrong-way/493149.md?page=13)