The greedy hand of government

Complete Las Vegans will want to spend a few minutes at the beginning of this week on this thoughtful piece by John Tamny, editor of RealClearmarkets and a senior economist with H.S. Wainwright Economics.

John takes up the subject discussed here last week in a blog and a column of the growing number of Americans who pay no income taxes.

"If we're all equal in the voting booth," John says, "but are unequal when it comes to paying what politicians term our 'fair share,' it's not a reach to suggest there will be a growing problem of those not burdened by federal taxation voting to give themselves benefits on the backs of those who do pay ...

"Returning to the fact that 47% of Americans don't pay income taxes: For the good of the nation, and so that we don't become a country of free-riders, it's important that we make taxation more equitable. But let's not delude ourselves.

"Whether we pay lots of tax or none at all, we all suffer the greedy hand of government. And contrary to popular belief, those not taxed are the ones victimized most by government policy meant to put the squeeze on wealthy taxpayers."

As much as this is applicable on the national level (hello, paging Harry Reid), it is also applicable on the state and local level. If something doesn't change, I promise you, the 2011 Nevada Legislature will go into session looking for ways to tax more and spend more. When, exactly, did stewardship of public funds become an unworthy endeavor of public officials?