Walter Williams, the Libertarian economics professor, wrote taxation to fund wealth redistribution (social programs) is tax slavery, different from black slavery only in degree but not in kind. A lot of blood was shed at least in part over slavery. Yet tax slavery is accepted by Americans who threaten a civil war over their Second Amendment rights. Even though the average American right now earns less than $30,000 a year (according to news reports) supposedly the average American pays more in taxes than they spend on basic necessities. There have been years when I spent many times as much on federal taxes as I did on myself, but I've always been more of a saver than a spender and didn't really think about others paying more in taxes than on basic needs until the report came out. If only Americans were as outraged over taxes (most of which goes to wealth redistribution) as some are over their Second Amendment rights we might be a freer people.
From the Mises channel: America actually spends more on social programs and helping the poor than all but a few Socialist countries. When you factor in US tax policies we help the poor more than just about any country in the world.
So we do a lot of helping voluntarily, and also are taxed to do more involuntarily. It would be interesting to know the percentages, if they are known or can be found. Probably unavailable with good reason. Ah well ---
The amount spent on "charity" by the government as measured against the GNP is 19% according to the Mises speaker, and that is more than many very socialized countries. He didn't cover private charity but that would be massive.
There are only a few legal ways a person can gain wealth. He can inherit it ( perhaps win it in a lottery); he can earn it honestly in the free market; he can rob people; he can vote for the government to rob people for him. Millions choose the last option. They vote for a living.
I don't think the USA government should be in the 'help' business at all....Welfare, Social Security, Student Loans, Foreign Aid, etc. I might even be changing my opinion about Health Care as have come to the conclusion that even though our current mandated system is handled by a 'for profit' organization (insurance companies) it is not far removed from Social Health Care, not much difference in the long run except all the government does is force you to pay for it. And, the beauty of the current scheme is they don't have to get votes in the Houses to raise the taxes for it because the Insurance company simply raise rates. But, the government is out of it...for now and that is a plus. Social Security was also forced upon the people and then in later years stolen. Welfare is a mess... I just don't think the US government should do this type of stuff. They should be in the business of providing good government but they want to be in control of every aspect of life. I have always thought that charity should be done through Churches, some do very good work, much better than the US government. But, then it is hard to explain rich temples like the Vatican or some of this multi-millionaire evangelists. So, I am not sure of the answer and haven't had coffee yet this morning so brain won't work yet. LOL!
This feller I know...won't mention any names...cares deeply about his right to bear arms precisely because he stopped paying income taxes years ago and knows that it is just a matter of time before something gives and he will probably need to defend his property and possessions against armed government agents trying to steal it. If only some Americans spent more time actually resisting taxation, rather than just talking about it with some holier-than-thou attitude (while still paying those taxes of course) and denigrating those who care about their right to bear arms in the process, perhaps those who actually ARE resisting taxation would not have to be planning for inevitable armed resistance to the tax thieves.
Where did I say I wanted to kill cops? My dad was a cop, my godfather was a cop killed in the line of duty, my brother was a cop and I was a cop and a public safety commissioner. You just stepped WAY over the line. Why would you attempt to put such words in my mouth? Thanks for making it very clear who's attitude and motives are suspect here.
Who do you think is going to come after you for being a CRIMINAL and not paying your taxes? Who is going to come to take your guns away? You just posted you do not pay your taxes and are worried about them coming to your home and have prepared to resist. It will be cops showing up at your home, not Russian soldiers. Those who constantly boast of violence are the last to fight. "This feller I know" is obviously you. But you do what you want.
Son, you best step off real fast. This "feller I know" is an actual person...not me. What kind of idiot would basically confess to breaking the law in a public forum? Or maybe you want me to name names? Got a "feller you know" that you might want to report him to as a potential tax evader and cop killer? Are you some kind of snitch...or just some holier-than-thou-a-hole looking to shill his crappy books? I am going to attempt to cool off and let the mods do what they will...unlike you, I ain't a snitch.
No, in the week or so you've been here you've come off like an a-hole...like a lot of us come off as in here at times and is no biggie. But now, yeah you've pretty much shouted out "I AM A CLUELESS DIPSTICK AND MAYBE A FED SNITCH". I knew sooner or later this place where we could all be ourselves and speak freely would be ruined by creeps like you.