Are we letting our Government get too predatory?

2015-11-23T13:59:24-05:00

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/smuggled-untaxed-cigarettes-are-everywhere-in-new-york-city-6717621

This article passed my feed, and I thought I would share.

I'm generally speaking NOT anti-taxation, however I'm a firm believer that we need to see "Value" for the taxation we receive. Furthermore, we exist within a generally free market. The article highlights taxation changing dynamics to the point where people are using free market concepts to avoid "predatory practices by the government" and then the government is getting upset at the People because they are doing so.

Ignoring that this is about Tobacco for just a moment, so taking the "Sin Tax" concept out of the equation, we see the People intentionally bypassing the Law because the government has added Administrative Hurdles (in the form of money) that make it not worth following.

What are your thoughts?

Smuggled, Untaxed Cigarettes Are Everywhere in New York City

As six armed officers pour out of two unmarked Ford Explorers on a Long Island City street corner, you can see the confusion on the faces of gawkers and passersby. One woman looks up from her phone and does a sitcom-worthy double-take when she notices their windbreakers, embossed with the...

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 23 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-11-23T14:21:27-05:00

Some crimes are worth punishing others may not be as worthy.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 6:41 PM

2015-11-23T18:41:24-05:00

Up next in New York City, illegally imported Big Gulps.