Born in 1776 (Well…Almost): A Bicentennial Baby’s Take on Taxes, Freedom, and Representation

I was born in 1976—what many call the Bicentennial year. My parents used to tell me I was their little “Bicentennial Baby,” and maybe that’s why I’ve always felt a deep connection to the ideals this country was founded on: liberty, self-government, and a fierce belief in the rights of the individual.

That connection runs especially deep when it comes to how we handle taxes and representation today. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “No taxation without representation,” from history class. But the older I get, the more I realize it’s not just a dusty quote—it’s a warning. And in many ways, it still applies.

The Power to Tax Is the Power to Control

We don’t often think about it this way, but taxation is more than a financial matter—it’s a question of freedom.

When government has the power to tax, it has the power to control. When taxes go too high, when they're levied without care or true input from the people, they can start to strip away that freedom.

People who can't afford their tax bill may lose their homes.

They may lose their businesses.

They may lose their independence.

That, to me, is what control looks like. And it’s why we must treat taxation with the seriousness and scrutiny it deserves.

Why the Founders Pushed Back

The colonists didn’t fight a revolution over a few extra pennies. They fought because decisions were being made about them, without them. They were taxed by a faraway Parliament that didn’t know them, didn’t hear them, and didn’t care to understand their needs.

They wanted a voice. They wanted representation.

And most of all, they wanted limits on government—because they knew that when government grows unchecked, it doesn’t just demand your money. It demands your obedience.

Are We Repeating History—or Learning from It?

Most of us have felt at one time or another that we aren’t being represented the way we had hoped. And that’s exactly when it’s time for a change in direction—when it’s time for new voices and new leadership to step up and better reflect the people.

Here in Harrisville, we’ve lived through this. Just a few years ago, residents were hit with a 166% property tax increase. City leaders said it was necessary to keep the city afloat, and I recognize that it was a difficult decision at the time. But what about the years that followed?

Every year since then, our current city officials have continued to raise taxes—often at the maximum allowed increase—despite many residents asking for a more measured, reasonable approach. In each of those years, it hasn't felt like the voice of the people was truly heard or respected. And that’s not how representation is supposed to work.

But here's the good news: we can change that.

We have the opportunity to elect representatives who take public input seriously—who believe that the power to tax should always come with the responsibility to justify why. We can choose leaders who treat taxpayer dollars with respect, transparency, and the humility of a true public servant.

Representation: A Sacred Trust

To truly represent the people means more than casting a vote in a chamber. It means listening. It means asking hard questions. It means saying “no” when the spending isn’t justified.

Yes, we need tax revenue to fund essential services. Government has a proper role—defending our rights, maintaining infrastructure, providing law and order. But anything beyond that should be treated as excess, and that excess deserves close scrutiny.

Every extra dollar taken in taxes is a dollar someone can’t spend on their family, their future, or their freedom. That’s a trade-off we should never make lightly.

What Can We Do About It?

The spirit of 1776 wasn’t just about resisting tyranny—it was about building something better.

And if we want a government that represents us, we have to:

Show up and vote—not just every four years, but every election.

Ask our representatives what they’re doing with our tax dollars.

Expect transparency. Demand accountability.

Support leaders who respect the proper limits of government—or become one yourself.

The Spirit Still Lives

Maybe being a Bicentennial Baby gave me an extra dose of patriotic stubbornness. But I believe the spirit of liberty still lives in the hearts of everyday Americans—people who work hard, pay their taxes, and want their voices heard.

“No taxation without representation” wasn’t just a complaint. It was a principle. And it’s one we should still be living by today.

Because at the end of the day, government isn’t meant to control the people—it’s meant to serve them.

And when we remember that, we can build a future as free and hopeful as the one dreamed up in 1776.

Why Vote for Me

If I have the honor of serving on the Harrisville City Council, you can count on this:
I will be the council member who listens.

I will take every tax decision seriously. I will ask the hard questions and work to ensure we all have clear answers—where is every dollar going, and why? If there's a clear and demonstrated need for an increase, I’ll support it. But if there isn’t, I’ll vote against it.

Representation isn’t about making the easy decisions. It’s about making the right ones, and doing it in the best interest of the people—not the system.

If you're looking for someone who values liberty, fiscal responsibility, and open communication, I would be honored to earn your vote. Together, we can make Harrisville a place where people feel heard, respected, and well represented.