Also, in a situation where taxation is generally deemed a legitimate function of government, it is wrong to stress the coercive element, I think.
It is coercive. That is the core of it, its basic nature. IMO it can at best be a necessary evil, and a high level of taxation isn't even necessary. Yes it was voted on but IMO something doesn't become right merely because it recieved a majority of votes. I value both democracy and freedom but I value freedom more.
One more reason for big government -
Some Who Vote on Farm Subsidies Get Them as Well
By ELIZABETH BECKER
nytimes.com
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 —
At least seven members of
Congress receive thousands of
dollars in farm subsidies each
year, and all but two sit on the agriculture committees that
are writing the new farm policy.
Although most have not sat on a tractor in years, they all
said their farm backgrounds helped them understand the
complicated legislation that will be debated in coming
weeks.
Indeed, Senator Richard G. Lugar of Indiana, the ranking
Republican on the Agriculture Committee, who received
$48,464 in subsidies for his family farm in the last five
years, has consistently argued that the subsidies should be
reduced in favor of conservation programs.
Among the biggest recipients is Representative Marion
Berry, Democrat of Arkansas, whose family enterprises
received $649,750 in farm subsidies in the past five years.
At the bottom of the list is Senator Sam Brownback,
Republican of Kansas, who received $16,913 over the
same period. Mr. Brownback does not sit on an
agriculture committee... |
