The only problem with that argument -- or perhaps simply the *phrasing* -- is that it plays straight into the "soak the rich" crowd. "Sure, the poor working mother shouldn't have to pay taxes -- but the rich can afford it!"
It doesn't matter whether or not someone can afford it. Taking money from someone through threat of force is wrong no matter what. Sadly, Tam's phrasing is the only way many people will be willing to consider the fact that it is wrong.
Charity is great, coerced or forced charity is wrong. Of course if you would rather live where the Salvation Army Santa Clauses shake you down at gunpoint instead of with those bells, please be my guest, but leave me out of it.
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JS-Kit/Echo comments for article at http://smallestminority.blogspot.com/2006/04/what-she-said.html (3 comments)
Tentative mapping of comments to original article, corrections solicited.
Yeah... I suggested that about two weeks ago... I was called a racist for some reason.
Otter
The only problem with that argument -- or perhaps simply the *phrasing* -- is that it plays straight into the "soak the rich" crowd. "Sure, the poor working mother shouldn't have to pay taxes -- but the rich can afford it!"
It doesn't matter whether or not someone can afford it. Taking money from someone through threat of force is wrong no matter what. Sadly, Tam's phrasing is the only way many people will be willing to consider the fact that it is wrong.
Charity is great, coerced or forced charity is wrong. Of course if you would rather live where the Salvation Army Santa Clauses shake you down at gunpoint instead of with those bells, please be my guest, but leave me out of it.
Note: All avatars and any images or other media embedded in comments were hosted on the JS-Kit website and have been lost; references to haloscan comments have been partially automatically remapped, but accuracy is not guaranteed and corrections are solicited.
If you notice any problems with this page or wish to have your home page link updated, please contact John Hardin <jhardin@impsec.org>