One of the worst opinion articles I have read...

It has been a while since I have read an article so misguided. Nicolaus Mills seems like an intelligent person, but he seems oblivious to his philosophical bias. I appreciate his appeal for patriotism. He assumes that his readers will desire patriotism, and I like that. But he presumes that he or anyone else is more qualified to determine the best use of someone else's wealth. He writes

In Bronxville, the typical homeowner pays $43,000 in annual property taxes. Why an additional $100 to $200, which is the tax figure being discussed these days, would matter is hard to explain.

He questions (as if it's unusually curious) that an individual would resist any of their property being confiscated in any amount. He assumes the individuals in Bronxville, NY are uncharitable, but he confuses taxes with charity. They are not. Any time a person is forced, under penalty of law, to relinquish their property--that which contributes to the survival or enhancement of their lives--it cannot be considered charity.

An individual has a right to their own property because taking away that which serves my life is tantamount to taking my life. The founders of our country believed in charity. Separately, they believed in taxes (though they would have would have been appalled at the extent to which citizens are taxed today). Please, Professor Nicolaus, check your premises. Separate charity and patriotism from taxes.