The Tax Foundation is an "educational institution" funded by tax deductible contributions from wealthy American's. It has popularized the concept of "tax freedom day" as the day in which the average American's taxes have been paid and the rest of the average American's labor can be spent on personal consumption. This post provides a critique of tax freedom day, and the educational mission of the Tax Foundation. It argues that the purpose of tax freedom is to mislead Americans into questioning the amount of taxes that they pay, and to encourage Americans to desire smaller government. In other words, it promotes the interests of its wealthy contributors who share those goals. It also shows how the concept of the average American misrepresents the average American. The concept of tax freedom, also ignores the benefits that most American's receive from government. For example, public education, fire and police protection etc. etc. provide value to American's from government, that would otherwise would have to be paid for out of compensation.
The Tax Foundation is just another example of tax supported organizations, funded by wealthy American's, to create public opinion that is favorable to their purposes. It is not by accident that the opinions of many American's on tax policy, and the role of government, contrasts with the views on taxes and the role of government in many other advanced countries.
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