Hal–If one starts with the premise that each of us is entitled, i.e., have the right, to keep and use the legitimately acquired fruits of our efforts as we see fit, then taxation, which uses the threat of violence to deny this, is a property rights violation. Now this doesn’t necessarily mean that, under certain circumstances such rights violations may never be legitimate or even morally acceptable. (This debate has been going on between property rights anarchists (anarcho-capitalists) and small government libertarians for years, although they both agree that taxation is fundamentally a rights violation.) On the other hand, if we do not start with this basic premise regarding rights, then wherever the line is drawn becomes arbitrary. Is a 20 percent income taking in violation of our property rights? How about a 5 percent taking? Most of us believe that 90 percent would be a rights violation-why?
by Locker Room contributor