Voltaire: Government Taking & Giving

Posted by admin on Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Voltaire Money Quote saying taking money from one group to give to another is the only function of governments. Voltaire said:
 

 

“The art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other” — Voltaire

 

 

Birthday November 21, 1694 – Death: May 30, 1778

 

Voltaire is criticizing the tendency of governments to redistribute wealth by taxing some citizens and using that money to benefit others. He seems to be suggesting that the primary function or “art” of any government is to take money from taxpayers and redistribute it through spending on programs, subsidies, or services that will aid other groups of citizens. Voltaire appears to have been skeptical of this practice and saw taxation and redistribution as the core activity of states.

Categories: politics Tagged:givetakingvoltaire