The first time I read Frederic Bastiat’s The Law (pdf), I thought the Frenchman was a bit over the top when he described taxation as legalized plunder. After all, the only things certain in life are death and taxes, right? Then again, at the time I was in school and not responsible for my income. Drawing a paycheck changes a man’s perspective. So too will being denied a tax refund from a government that plunder’s a paycheck.
My mind turned to Bastiat’s classic when I read USA Today’s report that several states are considering delaying tax refunds to citizens who are owed the money because the government just can’t spare the coins. Apparently, no one asked if taxpayers were in better shape than their governments. Unlike laws allowing a state to tax income, in most cases there is no legal ability for states to withhold money to which they are not entitled. They just do it. Perhaps the Tea Party movement will adopt the slogan “Victims of Lawful Plunder” at an upcoming rally. It sure would help frame the issue.
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