There is a saying: "tax is the price we pay for a civilized society".
This is a terribly intellectually dishonest phrase. How can it be that a "civilized" society is based on the unsanctioned removal of wealth from its participants? How is the removal of one's property without consent "civilized"?
The results of this lack of civilization are clear. We have the war on drugs - surely an idea supported by a minority of people. We have warfare which again, is surely only supported by a minority of the population. We have immigration which also seems to enjoy growing opposition. The list goes on...
It seems to me that the more accurate price to pay to live in a civilized society would giving up hubris and being humble once again.
What hubris am I referring to? The hubris of thinking that just because you're alive, your opinion is as valid as anyone elses. The hubris of pretending to know how best to spend other people's money. The hubris of the inconsistent belief that taking money is made good if its done with the blessing of the majority. The hubris of pretending to know how to educate other people's children. The hubris of knowing how best to control industry. The hubris of knowing how much money to print and what to set interest rates to pay.
The true price to be paid for a civilized society, is humility.
