Assessing overall purpose of taxes
A recent editorial warned that financial Armageddon was imminent because government has exceeded its “intended purpose” of “using taxation to provide for the masses those things that the individual cannot provide, including highways, dams, schools and armies;” while instead government is providing excessive individual welfare.
Not mentioned were wasteful energy research, sub-prime loans, Obamacare and a gazillion other costly things, besides welfare, government “provides for the masses.”
Of course, I could not afford a highway, but neither could I afford the thousands of skyscrapers, businesses, factories, private schools, and yes, toll roads, that have been built without government assistance.
Dam building is no more government responsibility than privately built oil pipelines which span thousands of miles; President Hoover simply wanted a dam named “Hoover” and started the practice.
We could even individually administer the “right of self-protection” but inevitably justice would become Chicago gang style; “Cross me and I will kill you.”
So government is needed, created and granted the right to use force on our behalf, but applied rationally, so that justice and order are maintained. It is only this purpose that justifies the existence of government; otherwise, the private sector can and will provide anything the masses actually need and do so at less cost than government.
If we believe government has an “intended purpose” to “provide for the masses,” it then becomes obvious that taxes will increase, after-tax income will fall, private investment will subside, more welfare will be “needed” and financial Armageddon will indeed be imminent.
— Ron Gore
Covington
Great concert by community band
My friend and I attended the Community Band Concert on Sunday, Jan. 27, at Bayh College of Education on the ISU campus.
I cannot remember when I have heard such a splendid performance. The acoustics were perfect and the small auditorium was not entirely filled.
If we had been to Bloomington or Indianapolis we could not have heard better. The selections were outstanding. How proud we should be of the Hoosier composers Indiana produced.
The musicians should be applauded. They willingly give their time and talent to entertain the Terre Haute and Wabash Valley community.
I began piano lessons at 10 years old. It was the greatest gift my parents gave me. I urge all parents to do the same if at all possible.
Thank you again.
— Susan Schwartz
North Terre Haute
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
Officials Arrest Man in Idaho in Terrorism Case
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
