Theft: The taking of another person’s property without that person’s permission or consent with the intent of depriving the rightful owner of it.Does taxation meet the definition of theft? Let's check the key conditions....
Taking another person’s property? Check! Income tax takes part of a person’s income, which is their property (unless you believe there is no such thing as private property).
Without that person’s permission or consent? Check! The withholding of taxes from one’s paycheck removes, for most people, the presumption of consent. When you file your taxes, unless you commit fraud you are unlikely to produce a return that results in the government returning the money. Unless you truly give your approval to the taking of taxes from you, you have not consented to the tax.
Intent of depriving the owner of property? Check! What argument would the IRS give that they do not intend to deprive a taxpayer of the income it collects as taxes? They are doing it by accident?
This show lays out the arguments that people make when claiming that taxation is NOT theft, and, of course, destroys them. And it covers alternatives to taxation and the monopoly of government.
And don't miss the 5-minute spoof, "I Love Paying My Taxes". It should peg your sarcasm meter!
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Pete Ferron
