“In moral terms, welfare programs amount to compulsory Good Samaritanism. Suppose it were argued that, out of compassion for those in need, every citizen should be compelled to work seven hours per week as a “volunteer” in a hospital, poverty center, or institution for the disabled. (Seven hours is 17.5 percent of a 40-hour work week and represents about the same proportion of taxable income that goes to support the welfare state.) In the sphere of private philanthropy, after all, people do contribute their time as well as their money. If government programs are simply a collective way to organize charitable activities, why not compel both sorts of contributions? Why not support welfare programs through a kind of “draft” as well as through taxes? Such proposals have in fact been made from time to time, usually in the form of national service requirements for the young. Such proposals illustrate the same principle as compulsory Good Samaritanism: by compelling a form of involuntary servitude, they negate the individual’s right to his own life.”
Emphasis was mine. In essence, Kelly is throwing down the gauntlet: if you are going to take my money for your purposes, you are taking my time. In fact, why aren’t you forcing me to work for your “good works” at the same time – double taxation?
He knows the answer – people would revolt. Because the taxes are taken out “up front” from one’s paycheck, most people don’t see or feel it as they only look at what’s on the check front. If people spent more time really analyzing their stubs, well…..yeah, fat chance. Forcing people to do what the government deems “charitable works” with their time would start to be called what it is: slavery. By only taking “taxes” few folks “get it” that it really is a good chunk of their lives that is being taken by:
- Government
- Those that use Government for their special interests.
In essence, involuntary servitude.
