On Fees, Fines, Vices and Tax

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“The government should create, issue, and circulate all the currency and credit needed to satisfy the spending power of the government….” – Abraham Lincoln

One of the problems with resolving crime and other problems is that crime pays; it pays the governments that try to control it, it pays the states and communities really really well. Other systems of vices pay very well also.

Many people in America say Tax illegal drugs, think of the bootie in it. California for instance will make about 1.5. to 2.5 billion a year taxing pot (marijuana) , while the citizens who grow and use it go to jail under federal law.

This is not the only way that illegal activity (usually some obscure and minor law ), unlike the major laws above, lead to increasing revenue for governments world wide. Infact, one location complained the camera’s worked too well, less people were speeding and running red lights so the city had a budget shortfall.

One of the main problems with the aniti smoking campain is that the tax on cigs was for some places a a substantial source of income. So, as most smokers know, the tax is now out of control, yet, those die hard smokers make up for all the people who’ve left their lungs in the dust. Soon the Gas tax will face this delima. Want to redue emission, what about the gas tax? how’s that going to be covered when 1 gallon of gas last me 100 miles?

Fine crimes (usually traffic and social laws aka. no public nudity) are have extra charges built in. DUI in some states courts are 2 to three times the federal standard, why? because the state wants the money and there won’t be a shortage of DUI charges, not unless the forces that cause it change. Considering how long it took for smoking to be seen as bad for society as a whole, I don’t think alcohol is going anywhere anytime soon; that tax is safe and reliable.

And other new means of revenue must always be found to sate the growing hunger of the bureaucracy. Lotto is the new vice states have decided to tax, but this one doesn’t seem to have a socially acceptable end. Unlike traditional gambling it’s just “a dollar a day.” Unlike traditional gambling in vegas, it doesn’t take all your money and your kids college fund, and better yet, you know the odds are not even close, 10 million to one; so you spend your $1 to $10 (on average) twice a week and know your probably going to lose so it’s ok.What should you take away from these examples?

Not only are governments self supporting and self serving, any good bureaucracy will grow and grow, while complaining it’s growing. Governments do not get smaller. And we are the ones that empower them.

OceansOfThought @ May 28, 2008