Maggie's Farm

James Pethokoukis explains it. Wealth-creation is not in their lexicon. They view government as the font of The Good. I definitely do not. If government does not protect my liberties and my property, I oppose it.

Government protects itself, grows itself. It is subject to all of the flaws of human nature, but has unique and potentially dangerous powers. It has become a big monopolistic, parasitic industry, but one with guns and cops and jails. Anybody who thinks that big government is altruistic is sorely misguided, delusional, naive, or stoned. Drunk on power and perqs, our public servants dread having to return to real life.

For more, Warren Buffett’s Tax Story Is Bogus. Buffett is a shrewd fellow, but who made him a saint?

Also related is a new book, The Great Lie. We all accept that politicians are liars, but it is more routine for them than we like to admit.