Is it unpatriotic to cheat on your taxes?

Question

So, I fell into an internet hole reading about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (don't ask) and ran across this tidbit about how he refused to do an episode where his character cheats on his taxes because he considered it unpatriotic (evidently as a cuban immigrant he felt deeply patriotic about the US). 
It seems to conflict a bit with a common sentiment I see now which is that cheating on taxes makes you "smart" not unpatriotic or even unethical.

Answer

Cool question. 
I don't think I am happy paying my taxes because of patriotism. I am happy paying my taxes because I believe in public education, welfare, public healthcare - the kind of things that are only possible in the capitalist system because of taxes. I like my country (Australia) but I don't identify as a patriot. 
Maybe I'm just a cynic, but to me patriotism can be a bit blind: for me it doesn't stand up to critical thinking. I feel proud about specific things that my country does / has done, but that doesn't equate to feeling proud of my country as a whole. There are many things we could do better and there are many ways we have failed. I think we should learn from failure, and be open about it, but not be proud of it. 
I understand how a patriotic person would think that way about taxes, though. I guess it's a different motivation for the same thing. He believed in the idea of America, I believe in the ideas of equity and access: both belief systems rely on taxation. 
Again, cool question. Thanks OP.

Answer

I'm not at all concerned with lower income people in regards to this question so I'm only addressing the wealthy here 
And the tax code was literally written by the wealthy to benefit the wealthy and provide them with ample loopholes to take advantage of to ensure they pay minimal taxes. And yeah I think it's unpatriotic af. I don't care about patriotism but I do care that the tax base exists to ensure my country has a social safety net, universal healthcare, universal public education, funding for the arts, etc. And we don't have that. We're being told universal healthcare and universal higher education are pipe dreams by the same people who have written and are exploiting the tax code. All the while people in lower income brackets are struggling to survive and are drowning in medical and student loan debt. Rich people who exploit loopholes and hide their taxes offshore or just blatantly cheat their taxes do not give a fuck about their country or the people living in it

Answer

It’s only unpatriotic if you’re poor. It’s totally normal if you’re rich

Answer

I wouldn't mind paying my share of taxes if my share was an actual equitable amount, the rich paid their equitable share, & the government actually used it to take care of us. Patriotism is a joke made up by the government to discredit anyone who stood up to their corrupt ways in my opinion.

Answer

I'm not really into governments, so I don't care about being patriotic, 
Come to think of it, I wonder what a tax strike would be like 🙃 we could stop the illegal wars they pay for perhaps- or fight for healthcare. 
I can understand why someone would consider this unpatriotic or antisocial behavior.

Answer

I don’t pay my taxes in the name of patriotism, but I find it unethical to not pay taxes. I like the sentiment that it is unpatriotic since it takes away from our country and it is unfair to others. I’m a big I love Lucy fan so I’m familiar with the story and like his reasoning. Whatever thought process helps you do what’s right is ok by me lol

Answer

Are we talking about doing something illegal?… then yes, I would say beyond it being criminal it could also be classified as unpatriotic.
Understanding the tax laws and using them in your favor I do not see an issue with. I would never choose to pay more taxes then I was obligated to pay by law.. happy to pay what I owe, but if I have the funds to ‘donate’ without a legal reason to do so, I would rather keep that money and donate to causes I actually choose. I am not of the belief that any government is going to spend my money better then I would.

Answer

It’s just the way it was with the times. Silent gen and baby boomers were prob the main audience. Baby boomers are very “follow the rules” kinda people. They just changed the rules to better suite themselves and screw over their children

Answer

Well it's a federal crime to cheat on your taxes, so I would start there...

Answer

I think it stems from trust in the government.
With so much failed leadership in recent history, we don’t really trust our taxes will be used in ways we approve, nor do we have fair tax laws that allows the uber wealthy to pay less proportionately.
But good for Desi, that’s very admirable. It’s an expression of gratitude for the opportunities he had in the US. I think I could feel the same way if the tax laws were redesigned to better protect the wealth of the middle class and lower income citizens.

Is it unpatriotic to cheat on your taxes?

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