Government and Equal Opportunity

The right to your own property is a sacred and fundamental part of modern constitutional republics, but taxation is a part of all effective governments. How do we distinguish, then, between taxation which is appropriate and that which isn't? It's their property, after all--should we abolish taxation entirely?

Of course not, because some things are absolutely essential. We need roads. We need a common defense. We need officials to enforce the law.

What I'm proposing is that giving to the hardworking poor and needy--the disabled, the injured, the widow, the neglected child--is absolutely essential. It's not an extra thing that the rich can do if they happen to feel like it. It's our obligation as a community to help those who can't help themselves.

Should we just give them handouts? Not if we can avoid it. I think we should follow the Church's plan and do everything in our power to help people get back on their feet. If people are disabled, let's find a way to let them give back to the community.