Comments on: Like the Way I Do: Melissa Etheridge Threatens Not to Pay State Taxes

By: Liz

Liz — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:36:09 +0000

Fine, then I’m not going to pay my taxes if they overturn Prop 8!!

By: Another Tax Geek, CPA

Another Tax Geek, CPA — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:18:29 +0000

Melissa Etheridge has the right concept, but the wrong approach. Not paying her CA taxes while remaining in CA and enjoying the benefits of the state is tax fraud, and frankly, stealing. While I see her point, and wouldn’t have voted for Prop 8, the fact remains that it’s now CA law (interestingly, Obama supporters must have also supported this), and passed by a majority. If she really wants to make her case, she should move herself, her family, and her business activities to a state whose policies she wants to support. Taking the economic benefit and jobs she provides to CA elsewhere would make her point, without breaking the law.

By: Fix the Tax Code Friday: Budgets and Earmarks | taxgirl

Fix the Tax Code Friday: Budgets and Earmarks | taxgirl — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:40:12 +0000

[...] focusing on taxes, budgets and earmarks. There has been some good discussion about whether Melissa Etheridge’s plan to boycott paying taxes in California in response to Proposition 8 is appropriate. So, I’ll take it a step further. Today’s Fix the Tax Code Friday [...]

By: T-Bone

T-Bone — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:05:19 +0000

I am not familiar with California Law as to these ballot referendum; however, I know she has no grounds to not pay her taxes. I have a compromise in mind however. She could move up to Washington and then refuse to pay her state income tax….

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:28:47 +0000

Not to mention that Ethridge’s argument is logically flawed.
“…she and I are not allowed the same right under the state constitution as any other citizen.”
Her rights are exactly the same as every other citizen’s. She can marry any man (short of incest, I believe) that she wants to, just like every other woman in California. She’s just throwing a temper tantrum because she can’t do what she WANTS to. Yeah, well, there are things that I WANT to do, that the law doesn’t let me do either, but you don’t see me getting all riled up.

By: paulwot

paulwot — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:16:31 +0000

Imagine that in a couple of decades or longer and we have visitors from outer space. Will the government then say that marriage is between two humans? Actually they may need to say that now in case someone wants to marry a goat. It’s sad that they need to define marriage in the first place. I was under the impression that it had already been defined.But for taxes…well, it all really comes down to money now doesn’t it.

By: Allen Dunkerley

Allen Dunkerley — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:14:46 +0000

OK, so Ms. Etheridge may have a point. She doesn’t consider herself to be a citizen. Let’s go all the way, she can no longer have support of our Judicial Stystem, so she is fair game for all law violators. She also does not have right to express her opinion as our citizens do, so lets throw her in jail for expressing those rights.

I could go on and on. Our armed forces will protect our citizens, but not her, etc. I think she is proving that she is a citizen, by expressing her opposition to Prop 8. How can she suddenly say she doesn’t have to pay taxes, because she is not a citizen of our great country.

I do not know if Prop 8 is fair or not. It is the law, voted on and passed by a majority of the citizens. If she doesn’t like the outcome, then campaign to overturn the ruling.

Heck, since I was against Obama, even though he was elected by our citizens to be the next president, I no longer have to pay income taxes, as I do not agree with the outcome. Same silly reasoning.

By: Luca

Luca — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:04:46 +0000

I could understand civil disobedience against something imposed by authorities that is apparently against the general will of citizens, in order to garner attention to the issue at stake. But in case of proposition 8 — as much as I hate it and I find it stupid (your “If you don’t believe in gay marriage, don’t get gay married” sums it up very well for me) — it’s the will of the people of California that you would be rebelling against. Not much point there.

By: Bill Miranda

Bill Miranda — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:53:44 +0000

Don’t mess around with federal and state income taxes in the name of civil disobedience! You’ll end alone and in jail. Kelly, thanks for writing what I was thinking. You can be Canadian, Chinese, Brazilian, Australian, whatever, but if you live in a state, you’re subject to tax there. It may not be fair but that’s the way it is. Put your civil disobedience to work in a constructive way that will impact the law you don’t like. Don’t mess with taxes!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:43:27 +0000

It’s worth noting, of course, that even Dr. King paid his taxes.
You can click here if you’re interested in reading about Dr. King’s tax evasion trial.