Taxation Is Robbery (Response)

In his article "Taxation is Robbery," Frank Chodorov claims that when the government collects taxes it is committing robbery, and that a government is largely unnecessary. I strongly disagree with this point of view.

It is ludicrous to believe that taxation is robbery and unnecessary. It is true that tax revenue is taken from individuals unwillingly, but that revenue is used to pay for benefits that are necessary and would never be paid for voluntarily. I find it perplexing that the same people who are against taxation and government are the same people who promote universal health care and government assistance. Before anyone claims that taxes and government are unnecessary, take a moment to think about what this country would be like without the luxuries that are paid for with tax revenue. Developed cities, environmental regulations, trade agreements, the military, and the space program are all products of tax revenue. It is easy to see the benefit of abolishing tax because it is immediately gratifying. Extra money in your pocket would be nice, but that would come with a high price tag. Taxation is the price we pay for the freedoms that we enjoy. I agree that taxation might be excessive, but it is not unreasonable.

As far as the economy is concerned, taxation and government are absolutely necessary. Government funding has been used to subsidize everything from agriculture to the airline industry. It is the government’s ability to collect taxes that has spared this country from what may have been multiple recessions.