Paper34

Summary: In short, Federalist Paper #34 is a document written by Alexander Hamilton to persuade the state of New York to ratify the new Constitution, on the issue of taxation.

Main Objective: New York is repeatedly assured of the guarantee of balance between state and federal power, and that the state will have many powers in the new system. An issue that needed to be addressed was “The General Power of Taxation”, or rather, the reasons behind why the government needed to tax its people.

Strongest Arguments: Taxes are needed to provide the country with a military and naval force, a protection no longer guaranteed for the people. A bicameral legislature is the ideal figure of government; representing the people’s different interests and the amount of people in favor of each. This concept was even used in Ancient Rome, as a way of representing the different classes of Roman interests. Taxes are collected also, mainly to pay for debts of the nation; an example being the debt that was a result of the revolution which freed them. Elasticity is necessary for the Constitution in order for it to survive through American law and principles; the Constitution will be known as a “living document”, one that can be amended and changed with time to maintain valid control over the community.

Opposing Arguments The taxing and powers the Federal government assigns are very general; who can say that a state government cannot have the same powers, alone? If the Constitution is so changeable, will the government use it’s own law against the people?

Validity: These arguments make valid points through the birth of a new nation, showing the need for equal power between certain areas of government, and the need to tax the people of the community; for its own protection and to pay off foreign debt.

Existing Today: Reflecting now, these issues have been very controversial throughout American history. One particular theme is that of the use of taxpayer’s money today. Many people are currently frustrated with the idea of where their tax dollars are going through the legal system.