Thursday, October 01, 2009

Government Versus Individuals

With slight tongue-in-cheek consider the following:

If I obtain money from an individual or business by coercion or intimidation, it is called "extortion". If the government does it, it's called "taxation".

If I run a numbers racket, it is called "gambling". If the government does it, it's called a "lottery".

If I sell liquor without paying taxes, it is called "bootlegging". If the government does it, it's called "alcohol beverage control".

If I create a business that does not allow competition, it is called a "monopoly". If the government does it, it's called a "department, bureau, agency, etc.".