Socialism is wrong!

This is a recent post from a friend of mine. I do not have his permission to publish his name, so he will remain nameless for now.

Every nation state today has a tax system that redistributes peoples’ income and assets to some degree, which generally means the State takes money from those who are wealthier and redistributes that money to those who are less wealthy. This kind of tax system is most strongly advocated by the political left. What most people, especially those on the left, don't understand is that this system of taxation is not morally legitimate. If an individual legitimately owns something, then they are entitled to keep or dispose of it as they see fit, no matter how poor others are. It is commonly argued that the State has the right to take at least some of wealthier peoples’ earnings to help those who are truly suffering, particularly when children are involved. Yet the State does not have this right because this activity is tantamount to forcing wealthier people to work a portion of their lives for the sake of others; they are forced to give up a portion of the fruits of their own labor. Therefore, redistributive taxation is morally wrong because it violates the principal that one is entitled to fruits of his or her own labor. To deprive a person of a portion of the fruits of his or her labor for redistribution to others is to force that person to labor for the welfare of others, which violates a deep right of ownership of one’s own self and body. Therefore, most people have two contradictory moral views, namely the view that forced labor is wrong and the view that the State has the right to take away peoples’ earnings for redistribution to others. We intuitively understand that forcing someone to work on behalf of others is wrong because it is treating a human being as merely a means to another’s welfare. This is precisely why we view slavery as immoral. It is not really the harshness of the kind of work a slave carries out that makes slavery morally wrong. We would of course still condemn slavery even if the slave work was entirely pleasant. What makes slavery wrong in our minds is our understanding that slavery treats human beings as mere means to the interests of others. Forced labor, such as is necessitated by redistributive taxation, is like slavery in that it treats humans as mere means.

I borrowed some material from a chapter in “What’s Wrong? Applied Ethicists and Their Critics” edited by David Boonin and Graham Oddie.

I thought of writing this in my own words, but this was too good not to repost. There isn't much more to add to this except to say, "I agree".

In addition to this information, i will say that helping those in need is really not the role of the government. That is the role of individuals and society, not government. The best form of government is one that protects the individuals rights and liberties. The government can "encourage" generosity through tax breaks and such, but mandating benevolence is over-reaching. If someone in need receives a government check from a government employee, then that recipient is beholden to the State. The government employee distributing the check has no real motivation to help the needy. It is simply their job, and so they have no interest in the individual recipient. Their are only interested in their own paycheck. Most of the time the recipient does not feel any sense of responsibility to anyone or anything, but instead cultivates a sense of entitlement. This sense of entitlement leads to a perpetuation of handouts, since the recipient does not feel the need to pay back what they have been given. If there is no obligation to pay back, then there is no motivation to earn anything. So the cycle of distribution is re-enforced by the demand of the recipient, and the demand upon the supplier (the taxpayer). Indeed, the government employee has no desire for the recipient to become independent. Such independence would reduce the need for distribution of wealth, and the employee might find themselves without a job. The same can be said for the employees at the IRS, and even the politicians who now have a marketable "success" story. If they can not show how they are helping these poor souls, then how will they stay in office? The quickest way to the ballot box is through the emotions of the well intentioned voters.
What if these same poor and needy individuals received support from generous volunteers? How does this change the dynamic?
First, the individual actually chooses to give their money - the tangible symbol of their life's efforts - to the organization or ministry. Already we have shifted away from the "slave labor" mentioned above, to something much more personal and even precious to the giver. The money goes into the hands of an organization which is actually motivated by a desire to help people in need, instead of a faceless government only motivated by mandates & laws. Unlike the government this group views this money as a precious resource, and they know that every penny can make a difference. They work hard to eliminate waste, and they proudly boast to their supporters how much of every dollar makes' it's way into the hands of those in need. Can this be said for ANY government program? Does anyone actually want to debate the issue that there is no more wasteful program than a government program? Non-profit, ministry groups are NOT filled with workers who argue over time-off & pay raises. They are not seen organizing a strike outside the massive headquarters of their particular organization. They do not go on destructive rampages, and murder their co-workers (or former co-workers). They are motivated by the end goals of helping those in need, and/or ending some form of injustice, poverty, sickness or hardship. They have a vested interest in seeing the numbers of those they help, decline! They have the hope that someday their "job" will no longer be required.
This is why they will see success in a critical area, which seems elusive to the government organizations... growth in independence! Anyone who has worked with the homeless will tell you that it takes years of dedication and investment to see one individual "succeed". Any one of them can tell you multiple heartbreaking stories of those that have been lost forever to the homeless lifestyle. But they will console themselves by telling you at least one success story, which they witnessed. They will also tell you about the support that their co-workers have given them during difficult "cases". This genuine dedication from the heart, this motivation to see homelessness eradicated cannot be artificially generated through Socialism. Without it, the extraordinary measures necessary to rescue someone from the homeless cycle... are missing. Government workers will not spend all night with someone who is suffering through withdraw symptoms. They will not work on their own time, to hunt through the streets for someone who did not check-in to the shelter on a very cold night.
When someone goes through that extra effort on your behalf, there is a sense of debt felt by the recipient. Not a debt that leads to a slave mentality, but a debt of gratitude. A sense that much has been given to them, and therfore they must do much in return. When you talk with a formerly homeless person, 99.99% of them will tell you of the individuals who sacrificed for them. I have never heard one describe the government programs which "made all the difference" in their lives. I have had people invest their time, efforts and lives on my behalf. I know how it made me feel, and how it changed my life. Ask yourself... have you? Has there been someone in your life that made a difference? Maybe it was your parents or grandparents. A sibling or other relative, who took extra time to help you in some way. Maybe it was a teacher, coach or friend. Isn't there someone who helped you in your life? If you honestly look at the growth in your life, you will most likely find a person connected to that growth. It was personal, for you and for them. How can government replace that? I am sure that there are plenty of government workers with good hearts and great intentions. I am certain that some government employees make a difference in people's lives too. Over the whole, I can promise you that the real "change agents" are not on the government payroll. Think of it this way: How many teachers did you have in your experience in public schools? How many were good teachers that truly affected your life vs. how many just did their jobs? You may have learned information, but how many really changed your life?
If you still believe that Socialism is so great, I encourage you to visit your local Post Office or DOT. Do those people really show you how much they care about your letters? How much do they really care about your passport applications? Your Driver's License? Do they care that your hair is out of place and you look like an idiot? Do they care that your ID is about to display the worst photo of you for the next few years? How do they treat you? Now imagine that you are there for food or shelter. You are there to feed your family. You are there because your child is sick and you need help. Do you really want those people to help you? How do you feel about yourself when you are waiting in line?
Socialism is unfortunately on the rise in America. There have always been aspects of it in our society, but it has always taken a back seat to Capitalism and Freedom. I hope that as long as I am alive, Socialism will remain a homeless wandering vagabond on the streets of America.