An Immodest Proposal: Tax The Non-Profits

Frank Zappa wanted to tax the churches. OK, if we go down that road, should we not tax all other non-profit entities as well?

Two steps down that path and we are already looking for exceptions to the rule Tax the Wounded Warriors? Tax my alma mater? Tax my house of worship?

There is already a movement to alter religious entities' taxation status and its roots are planted not in rabid atheism, but in Christian fundamentalism. Some Christians believe that churches have an obligation to address political issues but in doing so, they would jeopardize their tax-exempt status. Fear of the taxman renders clerical silence on matters such as abortion, gay marriage, criminal justice, election fraud, and of course, tax policy. 

At what rate should we bleed the untouchables? I say at the approximate rate that we drain for-profit entities. What is the present corporate tax? What is the current capital gains rate? Non-profits do not always have capital gains, although groups that hold real estate certainly do. Being spared property taxes as well as federal and state corporate obligations, isn't every dollar Harvard or Yale receives a capital gain?

A system is only as good as its loopholes. Exemptions should be given judiciously and uniformly and should be more the exception than the rule. I will let the many channelers of King Solomon hammer out the details, but I will pound the table and shout to the heavens that certain entities are never spared.

Let us show no mercy to the non-profit health care sector. These hospital-gobbling monsters have shamelessly money-grubbed in a style that would make a Murdoch blush. Have they elevated the quality of health care along the way? There was a time when we could reflexively answer more yes than no. That is no longer the case. Let these bloodsuckers start chipping in on a system that has so richly rewarded them.

At the risk of muting the pulpit, let us tax anything that is remotely political. This would include the Brookings Institute, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, anything with ties to Mark Zuckerberg, and Planned Parenthood, to name but a few. Let's also tax the Democrat and Republican parties, every PAC, and every campaign contribution. Sorry Jane Sanders. That 15 percent you rake off your corrupt husband's campaign funds will be pre-taxed moving forward. Even decamillionaires need to pay their fair share.

Tax exemption for non-profits arose in a more innocent time. It was a time when many leaders believed in concepts like "social benefit" and "the greater good". It was an era when institutions were not vulnerable to political infiltration, capture and ultimately weaponization. Let's get with the times. Let's tax the non-profits.