Redistribution never ends

I sense a deep frustration with what Kevin Decker (Letters, Dec. 19) perceives as a retreat from the policies of Johnson’s so-called Great Society in favor of policies that favor limiting government’s role to that of protection of life, liberty and property.

So, granting Decker’s redistributive wish, how much would be enough, and does the tyranny of the majority morally justify the plundering of property from the minority – whether they be slaves or entrepreneurs? Unpopular questions, but they are at the heart of this debate.

Two quotes for Decker’s consideration: “The first lesson of economics is scarcity: There is never enough of anything to satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.” Thomas Sowell.

And, “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.” Winston Churchill.

Perhaps a simple rule would be to remember not to ask of others more than we are proportionally willing to give of ourselves. The top 5 percent of income earners already pay 50 percent of all taxes and the bottom 50 percent pay nothing at all.

Stephen Murray

Spokane