Cato VI - The Constitution's Burden on Average Citizens

In Cato VI an Anti-Federalist author discusses issues with the apportionment of taxes and representation in the US Constitution.

Cato VI

December 13, 1787

In Cato VI an Anti-Federalist author discusses the apportionment of taxes and representation in the US Constitution.

He also briefly discusses the power of the Senate to make treaties.

This Paper largely focuses on the impact that the Constitution would have on average people.

Inclusive Representation

Cato begins this Paper with an analysis of the Constitution's clause regarding apportionment (better known as the Three-Fifths Clause).

While today we look at this part of the Constitution as extremely regressive, Cato thought it was TOO INCLUSIVE!

After some extremely sexist remarks, he asks why women, children and slaves were counted as persons when deciding how much the government could tax citizens when they had absolutely no role in running the government.

The Burden on Average Citizens

While the first paragraph of No. VI is not very palatable to our modern views, the body of this Paper might be viewed as fairly prophetic.

He focuses on taxes, beginning with a challenge to the Federalists idea that very little burden will be placed on the people because most of the Government’s money will come from import duties.

Assessing the extraordinary cost of operating a Government of this size, coupled with the nation’s outstanding debts, Cato believes these duties would have to be extremely high. This would lead to a situation where ‘the price of commodities, useful as well as luxurious, must be increased.’

When things are more expensive, less people buy them, leaving citizens without products they might need.

To make up for the loss in sales, merchants would have to raise prices, making things even more expensive.

In this situation, the merchants would see sales drop and, therefore, import less.

If less is imported, the Government will need to make up the loss in import duties by increasing taxes on the average person who is already in a situation where they cannot afford basic goods.

Property Taxes

Cato goes on to argue that the most effective and just form of taxation would be a property tax.

He states ‘The most natural and equitable principle of apportioning taxes, would be in a ratio to their property, and a reasonable impost in a ratio to their trade.’

Cato acknowledges that this is unlikely under the Constitution because the Senate and most of the House of Representatives will be made up of the wealthy elites who own the majority of the land.

Treaties

Cato finishes this paper with an attack on the ability of the Senate.

Specifically, he distrusts their power to make treaties without even consulting the House of Representatives.

Cato points out that there is a wide range of demands that might find their way into treaties which could adversely affect individual citizens.

Authors Note: It is fairly irrelevant to the large discussion above, but I particularly took note of the line ‘By treaties...engagements may be made to raise an army, and you may be transported to Europe, to fight the wars of ambitious princes.’ World Wars, anyone?

This series is only part of my regular publications, so…

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