Sure, you can always think of a subjectively better way to spend other peoples’ money. It usually involves you, being a recipient thereof. The old argument resurfaces in todays Detroit Free Press, Desiree Cooper would like to play the role of central planner with Warren Buffets multi-billion dollar philanthropic donation: “I’m dazzled by the possibilities for world transformation. But when I see the money going toward stemming the AIDS crisis in Botswana or immunizing...
Aside from the fact that it is nothing more than thinly-veiled theft, which fails the moral razor test (i.e., you would not permit that I redistribute some of your income towards my pockets…), the redistributionist claims that by taking away from some, the net benefit to others acheives some degree of efficiency; that there will be a “net benefit.” Rubbish, I say: My suffering will never be alleviated by your benefit. And shut it...
…if only we could be so fortunate. One of my current favorite songs, is Antiflag’s No Borders, No Nations, even though I have to look past their extreme-left political views (there is a dearth of freedom-loving punk rockers). That said, theflag-burning amendment proposal really chapped my ass. I was hoping the proposed amendment wouldn’t pass, and for the time being I’m glad it didn’t. But the margin of victory scares the piss out of...
