All's Fair in Love & Taxes

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There’s a lot of love in this world.

(if you look for it)

I had a revelation a couple of years ago while at a charity fundraiser. In a hotel ballroom packed with people who were all there to spend money and support a cause, it hit me like a flash: THIS is why I love a free market.

In a truly free market, the best ideas win. That also means that the best causes win. It’s easy to tell what people care about: just follow the money.

I really like helping people. I do it all the time. I’ve devoted a portion of my life to it. I now live my life with eyes wide open looking for opportunities to help others. But there’s something deeply upsetting about the people in charge of our policies telling me who to help, and how much to give to them.

When it’s no longer a choice to help out of my own free will, love is taken out of the equation. It now becomes an obligation.

And that’s what really rubs me about government welfare programs.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to pay my taxes for public services and infrastructures.

I’ve use the interstate highway system almost daily. I’ve called 911. I can’t tell you how many hundreds of hours I have spent in public libraries. A barbecue at a good park is the best. I camp, fish, hike, and explore public land.

Taxes are a part of living in a safe, reliable country. And I love helping people. But when I’m told my taxes are now higher because these other need the money more than you, and you’re going to pay it or else we’ll fine you, then throw you in jail and sell all of your stuff to pay for it… after a while it sure feels like I didn’t get to participate in that decision. I do it out of obligation, and the love of the game vanishes into thin air.

All we need is love, friends. There’s enough to go around.

P.S. – if you are a small business owner, you will get a ton of value out of the Profit Hiker newsletter. It’s one free gold nugget sent (from me, Simon) three times a week to help you elevate your business.