So why not have a fee-based war department?

[closeupready]

Because I'd like to opt-out of using my tax money for that.

[HopeHoops]

1. We already do - it is called the 1040.

As far as I know, every effort to adjust tax payments based on line-item expenditures has failed in the courts - including the presidential line-item veto. That one, however, is funny. The GOP screamed for YEARS to get the line-item veto passed. The only president to get to use it was Clinton and they screamed because he cheated by using it. Ahem. "GOP - FUCK YOU!"

[seabeyond]

2. we do and it is another example of fucking us up good. nt

[uncommon]

3. AMEN

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Yep, I'd make a deal. The DOD doesn't have to protect me from all of those

terrorists,commies, and things, and I don't have to pay for their existence.

[RZM]

5. About a week ago there was a short piece on 'Marketplace'

about some anti-tax group that wants the government to issue itemized receipts showing exactly what your tax $$ were spent on. They did a sample return for a $50,000 income and found that a pretty good portion went to funding operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. That would probably change a few minds . . .

[closeupready]

6. Of course, some (many?) defense contractors would lobby heavily against transparency.

but I agree, this would change minds.

[DirkGently]

7. Exactly. Talk about "redistribution of wealth." War takes from the poor and gives to ... Blackwater.