Nope. Nope. And sort of!
The Snake can be forgiven, being from NZ. But SolRaven! You're an American! We grew up with tales of the Boston Tea Party (even if they are mistaken tales about a couple of guys who threw a few pounds of tea into Boston Harbor.)
The cry of 'No Taxation Without Representation!' was crammed into us in every American History class. What was being taxed that could get us so upset?
OK... another hint;
What commodity did England so strongly rely upon for her trade with the rest of the world, so rely upon for even communicating with the rest of the world, that she would tax heavily, even cruelly, anyone who didn't handle this commodity correctly?
Again, take a look at the state flags. The answer is right in front of you!
Stitchawl