From the February 2002 Idaho Observer:

Bartlett cancels February IRS / We the People showdown

Rep. erroneously blames Schulz; the truth is much more sinister

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On January 18 U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) canceled the IRS / We the People tax honesty showdown scheduled for February 27-28. Bartlett blamed Bob Schulz's “Wait til the trial to file” Internet campaign for the cancellation.

Insiders have indicated that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) had told Bartlett that they would not participate as promised in what was scheduled to be an internationally broadcast forum. Bartlett was faced with the prospect of committing political suicide if only he and We the People were to show up for the long anticipated confrontation between taxpayers and the agencies responsible for collecting what many believe is an illegal tax.

Rather than inform the world that neither the IRS or the DOJ would appear to answer the fundamental questions regarding the legality of the income tax, Bartlett picked an issue out of the hat to blame the cancelation on Schulz.

“I will not be a party to advocating the non-payment of federal income taxes,” said Bartlett.

Income taxpayers have until April 15 of each year to file their returns. Bartlett's excuse would appear to have no merit.

Bartlett's recent letter canceling the showdown is an about-face from a letter he addressed to Schulz last October. “Our country has labored under a federal income tax system that is inconsistent with the liberty of a free people. Quite simply, the government of a free people should not tax the labor of its citizens, and it is imperative that the federal tax system not be repugnant (contrary) to the Constitution and its laws. Most of Congress now agrees,” wrote Bartlett.

Schulz believes Bartlett's complicity on IRS/DOJ refusal to publicly address questions and concerns regarding the legitimacy of the income tax constitutes a constitutional crisis.

For more information on this constitutional crisis, go to the We the People website at: www.givemeliberty.org