A minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority; it is not even a minority then;
but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole
weight. If the alternative is to keep all just
men in prison, or give up war and slavery, the
State will not hesitate which to choose. If a
thousand men were not to pay their tax bills
this year, that would not be a violent and
bloody measure, as it would be to pay them,
and enable the State to commit violence and
shed innocent blood.
- "Civil Disobedience,"
Henry David Thoreau
According to Thoreau, why would people be
justified in not paying their taxes? Check all that
apply.
These particular taxes are illegal.
Tax money is funding a violent, unjust war.
The crime that the state is committing is
worse than the crime of withholding taxes.
The state refuses to negotiate with war
protestors.
Acts of civil disobedience such as withholding
taxes are preferable to violent protest.
DONE