Taxation Can Be Theft
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The Libertarian Creed, “Taxation is Theft,” is emblazoned on countless t-shirts, bumper stickers, and memes. It might feel hard to disagree as you file your taxes. While many of us await our “refund” from the IRS, many self-employed people and small business owners are looking at a bill and figuring out how they will pay it. Add this to the sales tax paid at every trip to the grocery store (in most states, at least), gasoline taxes built into the price at the pump, and the property taxes you pay bit by bit in your monthly mortgage, and you realize that there are taxes everywhere! Maybe the Libertarians have a point . . .
While these payments to the various levels of government are unpleasant, we know deep down that taxes are important. Your city, county, state, and federal government perform important functions in society, from removing trash to protecting our nation from our enemies. Taxes are a pain, but a necessary one.
The Church in many …