☆ The special asterisk is a multiplier
It’s one of the sneakiest things ever done.
The Official Authorities® introduce a law “for your own good.”
And then they make sure that it doesn’t apply to everyone.
If we’re going to have uniform rule of law, there are certain things we can not allow.
These things are sure signs of bad law. There’s usually an asterisk to give exactly those things to selected groups. Because of course, while all animals are equal, some animals are more equal than others.
As with most examples of bad law, the American progressive income tax provides an excellent example. Tax rates are kept low because too many people complain (or revolt) if the tax rates are too high. But if the other guy, the guy a little better off than you, the guy you are just a tiny bit jealous of, if the other guy pays a bigger percentage than you do, well then it's mostly all right. Notice what has happened here. He already pays more than you do, but government tells you that it's unjust unless he pays a higher percentage. He gets taken advantage of twice and you're happy because at least it isn't happening to you.
But that isn't so bad because it's not you paying for it. Right?
Not so much.
Say a new company builds in your area. Your state and your city actively solicited them by waiving some fees and reducing others. But that doesn't matter, right? Except existing companies don't get the new breaks. And your state and city have to increase the services they provide. Which may mean increasing fees and taxes on others. And if it's a sports stadium or arena, expect the city to underwrite the loans (usually at a loss), give away the concession profits, and clear all available parking on game day.
A company that gets government grants or outright government funding doesn't have to listen to it's other customers. Government takes what it wants by force and gives it to the company. The company doesn't have to worry about the pesky neighbors who complain about pollution either.
Every time there are exceptions to the law, there is incentive to game the system. It's natural to take advantage, the only way to prevent this behavior is to make sure that no one can take advantage. This is almost impossible because it's usually very profitable gaming the system so companies pay off legislators to change the law. Of course, these payments are not direct. No, they are campaign contributions. They are non-profit foundations set up in the legislator's district. They are charity in the name of the legislator.
The only way to stop it is absolute uniform rule of law. The law applies equally to everyone or it applies to no one.
No deductions. No waivers. No progressive rates. No abatements. No incentives. No special recognition. No government grants. No government funding of private enterprise. No special rights.
No exceptions.
Keep law simple and absolute.
The Official Authorities® introduce a law “for your own good.”
And then they make sure that it doesn’t apply to everyone.
If we’re going to have uniform rule of law, there are certain things we can not allow.
No deductions.
No waivers.
No progressive rates.
No abatements.
No incentives.
No special recognition.
No government grants.
No government funding of private enterprise.
No special rights.
These things are sure signs of bad law. There’s usually an asterisk to give exactly those things to selected groups. Because of course, while all animals are equal, some animals are more equal than others.
As with most examples of bad law, the American progressive income tax provides an excellent example. Tax rates are kept low because too many people complain (or revolt) if the tax rates are too high. But if the other guy, the guy a little better off than you, the guy you are just a tiny bit jealous of, if the other guy pays a bigger percentage than you do, well then it's mostly all right. Notice what has happened here. He already pays more than you do, but government tells you that it's unjust unless he pays a higher percentage. He gets taken advantage of twice and you're happy because at least it isn't happening to you.
But that isn't so bad because it's not you paying for it. Right?
Not so much.
Say a new company builds in your area. Your state and your city actively solicited them by waiving some fees and reducing others. But that doesn't matter, right? Except existing companies don't get the new breaks. And your state and city have to increase the services they provide. Which may mean increasing fees and taxes on others. And if it's a sports stadium or arena, expect the city to underwrite the loans (usually at a loss), give away the concession profits, and clear all available parking on game day.
A company that gets government grants or outright government funding doesn't have to listen to it's other customers. Government takes what it wants by force and gives it to the company. The company doesn't have to worry about the pesky neighbors who complain about pollution either.
Every time there are exceptions to the law, there is incentive to game the system. It's natural to take advantage, the only way to prevent this behavior is to make sure that no one can take advantage. This is almost impossible because it's usually very profitable gaming the system so companies pay off legislators to change the law. Of course, these payments are not direct. No, they are campaign contributions. They are non-profit foundations set up in the legislator's district. They are charity in the name of the legislator.
The only way to stop it is absolute uniform rule of law. The law applies equally to everyone or it applies to no one.
No deductions. No waivers. No progressive rates. No abatements. No incentives. No special recognition. No government grants. No government funding of private enterprise. No special rights.
No exceptions.
Keep law simple and absolute.
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