Thank you very much for speaking up with such clarity and experience. Just because the horrific damage is not visible to enough people, doesn't mean it's not killing all of us.
Thanks for writing this, and for clearly explaining your concerns. Put simply, I do not want my taxes spent on genocide, destruction of the environment, and terrorizing immigrants. That money is better spent on scientific research, health care, and education, to name a few areas. But, expressing these concerns to the do-nothing congress is a joke. In response, they send campaign material, hyping up their accomplishments and avoiding the questions. The trump circus regime has destroyed, and continues to undermine the core principles of democracy - equality, compassion, freedom of speech, freedom to choose, representative government of, by, for the people, to name a few. The clowns in this so-called administration are destroying pretty much everything and we have become an autocratic, oligarchic, fascist (even terrorist) state. Take a look: why is Vance chumming up with Viktor Orban, Trump's hero, second to Putin? I fear that the children of today will not have a future here, unless we counter current trends.
William, I so agree. At one time, the state attorneys general were looking at the possibility of withholding federal income taxes to this lawless regime. While we, as citizens, cannot withhold tax payments without a substantial penalty, the thought was that the states could hold this money as leverage to correct this incompetent, lawless, and vile administration. I know the AGs are inundated with other battles to fight, but if this is possible, itwould create a powerful tool for reining in the Federal Government. Writing a check for taxes this year was excruciatingly painful for me when I considered that the money is used to extort, bomb, and maim innocent people, destroy science and the environment, all while enriching the Trump administration. Perhaps we should all contact our state AGs to see if this is under consideration. Hopefully, California will take the lead as the world 4th largest economy where withholding funds would likely have an immediate impact.
Christopher Armitage on Substack has a lot of great ideas on just this. He also has sample letters for every state AG and Secretary of State one can send. It’s called ‘soft secession’. I’ve filed extensions the last 2 years… have to estimate your due, but delays them getting all the $$. There’s also several groups who have ways to ‘conscientiously object’ to fed taxes… I googled it but don’t have names at my fingertips.
Yeah, I was not aware of this development. Thanks. This weekend I must do my taxes (always late) and to your point, I'll be more frustrated because what I'll pay in will further support funding of ICE, and the moronic decisions of the circus at the top.
People need educated, and this article is a vehicle to doing that. The more people learn and understand, the more they will speak up and push back against those running the show or are complicit to it.
I’m afraid that this is a sad result of the long slow erosion of our education system. Kids are not taught civics or government, the literacy rates are abysmal, especially in states where education is less funded. When the ability to think critically and the desire to read are eliminated, it paves the way for religion and politics to instill fear and division upon the ignorance. In the past 10 years I’ve seen science, compassion, expertise, critical thinking, civic engagement all vilified. Labeled as “ woke”, “elitism” and other labels which dehumanize and discredit any critical thinking. It’s something I have fought against my whole life and I instilled the respect for critical thinking and objectivity in my kids, and I allowed them to choose if they wanted to have religion in their lives or not. Too many kids… and adults have been steeped in this brew of religion and fear and division their whole lives now with no countering of these values.
Wow, your article is spectacular and should be read by as many people as possible. I will share and ask others to do the same. My sincere thanks to you, Mr. Jack Szostak, for this summary and your decades of work.
Thank you very much for speaking up with such clarity and experience. Just because the horrific damage is not visible to enough people, doesn't mean it's not killing all of us.
We need for all of us wherever we find ourselves to speak out as we can. Thank you Professor. Thankful you are American too.
Thanks for writing this, and for clearly explaining your concerns. Put simply, I do not want my taxes spent on genocide, destruction of the environment, and terrorizing immigrants. That money is better spent on scientific research, health care, and education, to name a few areas. But, expressing these concerns to the do-nothing congress is a joke. In response, they send campaign material, hyping up their accomplishments and avoiding the questions. The trump circus regime has destroyed, and continues to undermine the core principles of democracy - equality, compassion, freedom of speech, freedom to choose, representative government of, by, for the people, to name a few. The clowns in this so-called administration are destroying pretty much everything and we have become an autocratic, oligarchic, fascist (even terrorist) state. Take a look: why is Vance chumming up with Viktor Orban, Trump's hero, second to Putin? I fear that the children of today will not have a future here, unless we counter current trends.
William, I so agree. At one time, the state attorneys general were looking at the possibility of withholding federal income taxes to this lawless regime. While we, as citizens, cannot withhold tax payments without a substantial penalty, the thought was that the states could hold this money as leverage to correct this incompetent, lawless, and vile administration. I know the AGs are inundated with other battles to fight, but if this is possible, itwould create a powerful tool for reining in the Federal Government. Writing a check for taxes this year was excruciatingly painful for me when I considered that the money is used to extort, bomb, and maim innocent people, destroy science and the environment, all while enriching the Trump administration. Perhaps we should all contact our state AGs to see if this is under consideration. Hopefully, California will take the lead as the world 4th largest economy where withholding funds would likely have an immediate impact.
Christopher Armitage on Substack has a lot of great ideas on just this. He also has sample letters for every state AG and Secretary of State one can send. It’s called ‘soft secession’. I’ve filed extensions the last 2 years… have to estimate your due, but delays them getting all the $$. There’s also several groups who have ways to ‘conscientiously object’ to fed taxes… I googled it but don’t have names at my fingertips.
Yeah, I was not aware of this development. Thanks. This weekend I must do my taxes (always late) and to your point, I'll be more frustrated because what I'll pay in will further support funding of ICE, and the moronic decisions of the circus at the top.
People need educated, and this article is a vehicle to doing that. The more people learn and understand, the more they will speak up and push back against those running the show or are complicit to it.
I no longer recognize my country…. 🥺
I’m afraid that this is a sad result of the long slow erosion of our education system. Kids are not taught civics or government, the literacy rates are abysmal, especially in states where education is less funded. When the ability to think critically and the desire to read are eliminated, it paves the way for religion and politics to instill fear and division upon the ignorance. In the past 10 years I’ve seen science, compassion, expertise, critical thinking, civic engagement all vilified. Labeled as “ woke”, “elitism” and other labels which dehumanize and discredit any critical thinking. It’s something I have fought against my whole life and I instilled the respect for critical thinking and objectivity in my kids, and I allowed them to choose if they wanted to have religion in their lives or not. Too many kids… and adults have been steeped in this brew of religion and fear and division their whole lives now with no countering of these values.
Yes, education is fundamental, and what and how things are taught are critical.
Thank you for sharing and I am so sad, frustrated and embarrassed by the country that I love.
Wow, your article is spectacular and should be read by as many people as possible. I will share and ask others to do the same. My sincere thanks to you, Mr. Jack Szostak, for this summary and your decades of work.