Opus 2025-071: Feudalism II

One of the things that we are seeing in our culture today is an increasing number of organizations that are finding ways around the tax codes.  Churches are obvious as not paying property tax.  I’m guessing that there are many nonprofits that are also included in that kind of loophole.  I know that there are foundations that pay no tax on the money collected.  We have an ever growing number of people lined up at the public trough who live off of government checks and pay no taxes but have the right to vote on raising those taxes.

This follows a parallel pattern from the Middle Ages when the wealthy, the powerful, the religious leaders, and who knows whom else exempted themselves from having to pay taxes.  This put a greater burden on the common people who had no voice and reinforced the power structure.

We are seeing that again today.  There is a multiplying parasite class that sucks the energy out of our economic system while enjoying the benefits.  A large part of this process is making it impossible for working class people to buy property and own homes.  It continues into the push to put us on public transit by making private ownership of automobiles too expensive.  Meanwhile they have chauffeured limousines and private jets.  You need to be disarmed while they pay private security.

Think of the areas of Los Angeles county that were burned off by the fire.  The regulations of California are going to make it almost impossible to rebuild.  Who will step in?  Picture the hills of Altadena, covered with large religious facilities, government buildings, nonprofit headquarters and anybody else who can build without having to pay taxes and find ways around regulations.  They will pay no taxes on the property.  They will probably find ways to avoid taxes on their income.  At the same time, they will be expecting to be taken care of with government services, such as police, fire, and water.

If you are one of the elites that lived in a multi-million dollar home you might be able to go out and pay cash for another one or know the right people to get your mansion rebuilt and include trhe property of a neighbor who lost his because he voted wrong.  The rest of us are expected to live in European style, 15 minute cities where everything you need is less than a 15 minute walk and your cell phone will report you if you go outside your limit.

Peasants, welcome back your feudal lords. They may be a new and improved edition, but they are still feudal lords.  Actually they want you to be serfs, not peasants.  Peasants had some rights.  A few peasants were able to accumulate wealth.  Serfs were bound to the soil and needed a note from their lord if they wanted to go too far from that soil.  Can you say, “15 minute city?”

People came to America to escape oppression and find liberty.  That looks good on a poster and sounds good in a sound bite.  It is even true up to a point.  What that meant was that they could own real estate in this new land.  They could attend the church they wanted in this new land.  They could defend themselves in this new land.  They could travel without a permit in this new land.  They could even wear whatever style and color of garment they could afford.  We have no idea of what it will be like if your overlords resume their positions of power.

Be aware.  Resist the decent into Feudalism.

homo unius libri