Page:The Autobiography of a Catholic Anarchist.djvu/79

CHAPTER 5. LIFE AT HARD LABOR—REFUSAL TO PAY INCOME TAX 66 farmer who uses a horse and a plow and very little machinery cannot afford to compete in the market with the farmer who uses up-to-date machinery.

It happens that I do not care to own property and have it taken away by the government for non-payment of taxes, for most of the taxes in my lifetime will go to pay for World War II and to prepare for World War III. One who eats meat can raise a few hogs and chickens in the country and here turkeys do well. For a vegetarian who simplifies his needs, the cash that is needed for certain purposes can be earned as a farm laborer; and most of the food to be consumed can be raised on an acre or two. To raise food for animals and then eat the animals is expensive. Why not raise the grain and eat it yourself?

I am not competing on the market with others any more than I am losing an election when I do not enter the lists of voting. My ideals are above and beyond that nose counting which takes place at the ballot box, and the economic system which myself and other free spirits follow is above and beyond the market place. The B-29's roar over my head hourly. These planes of death exist, as do the market place and the voting booth, but they do not need to be a part of my life if I do not choose to help pay for them or live in fear because of the warmonger's security in these false gods.

MY BUDGET I keep ten dollars for expenses and send the remainder to my wife and girls. During the month of May, 1945 my expenses were as follows:
 * Whole wheat pour, 25 lbs........$1.25 (could grow own wheat)
 * Vegetable shortening, 3 lbs........68
 * Cornmeal, 5 lbs....................46 (could grow own corn)
 * Oleomargarine, 2 lbs...............38
 * Rice, 4 lbs........................58 (price is too high)
 * Raisins, 2 lbs.....................23
 * Syrup, 5 lbs.......................47
 * Yeast, salt, sugar, etc............50

—TOTAL 4.55
 * Electric light bill..............1.00
 * Bundle of CO and CWs.............2.40
 * Postage stamps, haircut, etc.....2.05

—TOTAL $10.00 I bought a quantity of pinto beans (seconds) last year and still have some left. Have a few jars of apple butter which I put up last fall. Get a quart of milk free from the farm daily, and asparagus, wild lettuce, and later fruit and vegetables. Irish potatoes do not grow well here. The ones that you buy at the store now are not worth the money, so I buy rice instead. Another year I should get a few hives of bees.