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Friday, October 14, 2005

Fun with Big Government

Government -- to govern, to referee.
Also, to collect fees, to regulate, to intervene.
Yeah, we can attach various definitions and connotations about government.
But there are 3 things which are 100% present in all governments: politicians, bureaucrats, and taxes. Politicians are elected; bureaucrats are appointed and hired; and taxes feed them both.

So the bigger the government, ie, the plentier the politicians and bureaucrats, the bigger and plentier the taxes and fees to support them, and their offices, and their travels, and so on.
A number of government services are indeed necessary, like the policemen who caught the guys who mugged you, or stole your bike or car, or raped your sister or daughter. And the judges who sentenced the bad guys to either the prison cell or the electric chair.

But many government services are unnecessary and hence, the taxes and fees taken from the people's pockets are unjustified. Or, another way of saying this is, better leave those services to the private individuals and enterprises, to voluntary organizations and charities. These guys will get their revenues and income in the form of sales of their wares and services, and in contribution from other guys.

What happens when government becomes big?
Oh well, if you're an employee or a manager, government will first make your pay a bit smaller compared to its potential because of taxes levied on the company (for instance, corporate income tax). Then, government will take a portion of your personal income. Then from your take-home pay, your consumption goods and services will become more expensive because of add-on taxes incorporated there, like import tax, sales tax or value added tax, excise tax on your beer and cigarette.

Oh, and don't forget. Government can also tell you you can't buy sugar or cigar from a country that your government finds distasteful. Or you can't sell your wares much to a country because of the high import tariffs and taxes that the government of your consuming country has imposed.

Well, it's not fun talking about burdens and restrictions.
But we can make fun of the politicians and bureaucrats who made our lives a bit difficult.
For instance, a politician told a group of people attending a political rally.
"These are my principles! But if you don't like them, I have others."
Hehehe.

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