Senator Claire McCaskill, (D-MO), in discussing her opposition to extending tax cuts, says the GOP is just “going to pout if we don’t give more money to millionaires.” (See the New York Times article “Tax-Cut Debate turns to Millionaires.“)
This is the perfect example of how “progressive” statists have the world backwards. She has confused letting people KEEP their own money with the government GIVING them money. Her basic belief, therefore, is that the government owns all productivity, and only allows people to keep it out of the government’s benevolence.
Ergo, in her world, allowing people to keep what they have earned is the same thing as a government gift.
(I know, I know: to the “progressive” statist, rich people haven’t “earned” anything. They have exploited the labor of others or they have simply stolen wealth from the proletariat. Therefore, the benevolent hand of government is necessary to correct the injustice. That is a different discussion for a different day. I merely suggest that F.A. Hayek addresses that contention and soundly shows its error in his book “
The Road to Serfdom.”)
Willie Nelson cancelled a concert in Kenansville, North Carolina, Thursday night after six of his band and crew members were cited for possessing moonshine and marijuana the day of the show.
If the government has enough money to pay law enforcement officers to keep 60 year old men from drinking and smoking prior to going to work on a Willie Nelson show, then the government has too damned much money.
Just talk priorities, people. Where else could the money for enforcing these infractions be spent?
I have no doubt that statists could compile a list as long as Pinocchio’s nose after an audit. Each item on that list would be a better use of tax money.
But how about this crazy idea? Let individual taxpayers keep that money and spend it however the hell they want.
Even on moonshine and reefer if they are so inclined.
Freedom just scares the hell out of so many people.
Yes, individual freedom is dangerous. It can be deadly.
But until we realize that state power is far, far more dangerous, and far, far more deadly, then we just keep paving the road to our own serfdom.
And once we reach our destination? We will be less safe, less free, and less prosperous.
And yet we speed down that road like Thelma and Louise … knowing the result. And doing it anyway.
Let freedom ring.
