[Manarius]

Ok, a couple things.
1. The constitution was ratified by all states by 1791. That nullified the Articles of Confederation.

2. The constitution grants congress the right to tax (enforcement in the constitution is vague because at the time, people didn't know if taxes were under the umbrella of the necessary and proper clause). However, the 16th amendment allows the government to make and enforce an income tax.

3. Taxes wouldn't be such an issue if Americans could justify the expense. President Bush's approval rating at the moment is under 40%..which is very, very low. From this poll, we can tell that Americans are not approving of how the administration is spending their money. Maybe it's time to get people in office who spend money according to how their constituents want it.

On my own opinion: I'd rather we spend in the black and not in the red. The national debt at this moment is nearing 8 trillion dollars. When Clinton was elected in 92, it was closing in on 4 trillion (and it stayed right around there for most of his duration in office). I think the "war in Iraq" and "war on Terror" are two big wastes of money. I think it's time we wake up and smell the roses.