Great article. We are solely responsible for our own actions, but that is just logic. The way laws get twisted to benefit the ruling class, so their plunder is then turned into a benefit for the greater good, is criminally malevolent.
Thanks for the post, OA.
NMA

I count it as one of the best short reads in my library.

It is bad enough that we have such a short edit window on our comments, but we have no window on our primary posts. My fault... I know better and should proof my work...

Gratitude. :)

I don't mind. I am easy and human. :)

It's not just that it's legal plunder. It's that the plunderer, even if motivated to help the destitute woman, will sooner or later (sooner) justify to himself and others that he needs to scalp a portion of what he collects before passing it on to cover his expenses and lost earnings caused by the time he devotes to this 'worthwhile' project. At that point it becomes thuggery and gangsterism. What pretended morality of the actions used to initially justify are eroded, and the law becomes self-serving in addition to it's initial wrongness.

The cost to society is a complete break in any respect for law. There's no rule of law at that point, only the rule of 'I say so because…' That is anarchy under color of governance. But who's at fault - is it the taker, or is it the failure to defend in the first part? The only answer has to be, at the next scheduled time to deliver your money, go buy a bigger gun and use it.

Lol, I saw that, but wasn't going to say anything..

I can't believe I misspelled BASTIAT! AAARGH!

Well, at least you didn't have me telling you.

It's not that everyone is against them, it's that some are. While you're blithely striding down the path of positivism in snake country, don't fail to check the other side of a log before you step over it.

Indeed. I believe people are generally good, but we know so many with the human weakness and tendency to blame their lot in life on others, thinking everyone is against them... This is a self fulfilling prophecy. Think positive and keep striving for your goals; win or lose the journey will be more pleasant.

Good article. However men are not "fallen creatures. " But power always corrupts. I am always amazed at tqhe number of people -politics aside - who assume when their side is represented in the govt it behaves benevolently and people, in general, are potentially going to do something bad. That 's the basis of the majority of laws. Completely illogical