By John Stossel
President Obama says he wants to make society more fair. Advocates of big government believe
fairness means taking from rich people and giving to others: poor people; or people who do things politicians approve of like making green energy equipment (Solyndra); or old people (even rich ones) through Social Security and Medicare.
The idea that government can make life fair is intuitively appealing to people -- at least until they think about it.
Ill try to help.
Obama says fairness requires higher taxes but
as The Wall Street Journals Stephen Moore asks Is it fair that the richest 10 percent of Americans shoulder a higher share of their countrys income-tax burden than do the richest 10 percent in every other industrialized nation including socialist Sweden?
Or as economist Art Laffer asked is it fair that American corporations pay the highest corporate tax rate in the world?
Beyond taxes again quoting Moore Is it fair that President Obama sends his two daughters to elite private schools that are safer better-run and produce higher test scores than public schools in Washington D.C. -- but millions of other families across America are denied that free choice and forced to send their kids to rotten schools?
No. Parents ought to be able to spend their education money at any school they choose.
Big-government politicians bemoan income inequality but would equalizing incomes make life fair?
To many it is intuitive that such inequality is necessarily unfair. If someone makes his income by looting the taxpayers -- sure thats unfair. His gains are ill-gotten and honest taxpayers are out hard-earned money. But
theres nothing unfair simply in making more money through productive work.
People have a range of talents and ambitions. Some will serve consumers better than others and therefore make more money. Government should not worry about that.
It should spend its time abolishing political privileges so that people compete fairly -- in the marketplace.
You want to know whats unfair? Social Security. Progressives say Social Security is the best-working government program ever but they are wrong.
Think about Social Security in terms of what would happen if a private company came up with a deal like this said Charles Goyette author of Red and Blue and Broke All Over. The president of the company says weve got to sell some new policies tomorrow to pay you what youre due when you cash in today. Theyd lock these guys up.
Goyette was referring to the fact that your payroll taxes are not invested. The money is spent right away and the government counts on new money from current workers to pay retirees. The touted trust fund doesnt exist.
Theres no trust. Theres no fund. Theres no security. And the really bad thing -- this is whats really destructive -- it has changed the propensity of the American people to save for themselves. ... Were creating a multigenerational calamity. And its right at our doorstep.
Weve taught people to be dependent. But dependence robs us of our dignity and keeps poor people poor.
Few politicians will touch the issue because seniors vote. And so trouble is not far up the road.
Weve loaded kids up with a debt that they will be burdened by for the rest of their lives Goyette said. What kind of people what kind of country does something like that?
Its even worse for Medicare. Were talking tens of trillions in unfunded liabilities. Wheres that money going come from? Since seniors resist cuts will politicians keep their promises by devaluing the currency? And why do the guardians of fairness never talk about this?
It might seem reasonable for government to make life more fair. But when it takes your money and freedom trying to do that life becomes less fair. Everyone is poorer and less free. As government grows individual liberty shrinks. Thats not fair.
It might help if instead of talking about fairness we talked about justice:
Respecting other people- Respecting their freedom and
- Respecting their honestly acquired belongings
Real fairness or justice requires limiting government power. That means the same rules for everyone. No special favors. No handouts.
Or in Frederic Bastiats phrase no legal plunder.
John Stossel is host of Stossel on the Fox Business Network. Hes the author of Give Me a Break and of Myth Lies and Downright Stupidity.
