The income tax has destroyed the concept of financial privacy. It has demolished the idea that a man's home is his castle. It has provided unlimited funding for politicians to wreck lives and property. It has forced one-earner families to become two-earner households -- leading to decreased parental supervision of children; loss of family values; and increased crime, promiscuity and drug use. So long as the government has the power to invade our lives, rummage through our records, and take what it wants from our income, we will have only as much freedom and take-home pay as the politicians condescend to let us have.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Income tax undermines privacy and family stability while funding government overreach.
- In plain terms
- Taxes reduce privacy and force families to work more, harming family life.
- What can you take from it?
- High taxes and government oversight reduce freedom and strain families.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What costs are worth paying for public services?
- How does tax policy affect family life?
Another view
Public services require funding through some form of taxation.
More from Harry Browne
The free market punishes irresponsibility. Government rewards it.
Permalink to quote #27 The police can't stop an intruder, mugger, or stalker from hurting you. They can pursue him only after he has hurt or killed you. Protecting yourself from harm…
Permalink to quote #29 The best thing we can do for family values is to repeal the income tax. Then families will have the resources they need to implement their own values -- and no…
Permalink to quote #26
Related quotes
Beliefs about how you live your life, matters of private decision, views best kept for private enjoyment, prejudice or entertainment, can't be imposed by the o…
John MortimerJohn Mortimer quote #1 I have been placed under surveillance, and I can't take a step without it being known to the Polish minister of internal affairs.
Konstantin RokossovskyKonstantin Rokossovsky quote #4 I'm convinced that today the majority of Americans want what those first Americans wanted: A better life for themselves and their children; a minimum of govern…
Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan quote #9