Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)
 

Blue_Tires

(57,596 posts)
Fri Sep 6, 2013, 10:38 AM Sep 2013

Meet your new 15-minute instant celeb teabag hero of martyrdom: [View all]

Man Pays Tax Bill With Thousands of Single Dollar Bills to Protest 'Stolen' Money

Robert Fernandes, of Forks Township, Pennsylvania, wants people to know exactly how much he doesn't like paying his taxes. Last week, the father of three took his wife and children - and $7,143.54 in cash - to the tax collector. He paid the township tax bill in single dollar bills. And, just to make sure that he made his point, he posted the whole thing on YouTube:

Fernandes made his public statement to protest money that he claims is being "stolen" since he does not wish to "voluntarily" pay for services that he doesn't believe he benefits his family. Specifically, Fernandes' young children (ages 1, 4 and 7) are not enrolled in a brick and mortar school in the school district: Fernandes' wife is currently homeschooling the children. He said about the tax, "We don't even use the public system, yet I am being forced to pay all this money into a public school system. I don't think that's really either fair or just or even ethical. It would be the equivalent if McDonald's were to force vegetarians to pay for their cheeseburgers."

Well, er, McDonald's would force vegetarians to pay for cheeseburgers if they opted to show up at the restaurant and order them - even if they didn't eat them. And that's kind of what Fernandes did. These property taxes didn't sneak up on him: he moved to the district last year in search of lower property taxes. That should mean that he did a little bit of research before putting in the offer for his home - at least enough to know the tax rates. And he didn't accidentally land in Forks Township: he voluntarily moved his entire family to the township after snatching up a house at a short sale.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/man-pays-tax-bill-thousands-143100681.html

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Meet your new 15-minute i...