by Stephen A. Wait ~ 6th of February, 2023
The mantra of pay their fair share is but another slippery slope without the prospect of arrest should our tenuous purchase be lost. Along the way, vilification as too well-to-do enjoys greater distribution each time the bar is lowered.
For my part, I begrudge no one their honest gains nor do I covet those ill-gotten. As well, I make no apologies for the diversity of prosperity. Yet, it is without regard to this distinction that fairness is requisite the participation of all, à la… The Little Red Hen.
One may argue that the rich achieve their wealth by less than righteous means. Alternatively, a claim may be made that their worth is earned honestly. As with most things, wholesale characterization is rarely accurate and therefore, I am suspect of each when either is offered as definitive.
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As a concern for the government, taxation is merely a de facto entitlement to the financial compensation of another’s effort. This of course provides essential funding for the litany of waste, fraud, and abuse programs that bureaucrats depend on to justify their existence. Indeed, think only what would become of our welfare state if such vital sustenance was not leveraged from those who create it.
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And it is to this end, that should your individual endeavors at prosperity yield a return greater than can be tolerated by the democratic socialists of the day, payment of fair share is demanded. Solicited next is agreement to the inadequacy of your philanthropy. Here, your capitulation not only ingratiates, but serves as the validation required to perpetuate the fair share narrative.
If, however, yours is mere contentment of existence at the expense of others, the aforementioned group absolves you of personal responsibility for your circumstance and victimhood is bestowed. Then, at the behest of the government our savior, compliance with the terms of service in the welfare state is sought. And, whereas upon your consent, entitlement to generational dependency arrives.
It seems governance plays both ends… and our societal safety net is but an insidious snare.
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