A Life of Crime

"If, then, taxation is compulsory, and is therefore indistinguishable from theft, it follows that the State, which subsists on taxation, is a vast criminal organization far more formidable and successful than any "private" Mafia in history. Furthermore, it should be considered criminal not only according to the theory of crime and property rights as set forth in this book, but even according to the common apprehension of mankind, which always considers theft to be a crime." Murray Rothbard

In Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, Jean Valjean steals bread for his starving family and is relentlessly pursued by an agent of the state for his crime. In Phoenix, Arizona, the City Council voted for a 2% transaction privilege tax on food, and Phoenicians now prepare to be robbed, starting on April Fools day, every time they buy some bread.

Days before the vote, the City Manager and the Mayor announced upcoming job losses for police and firefighters and the Chicken Littles cried: "Who will protect us?" [1] In Phoenix, the city that repeatedly pushed light rail on unwitting (witless?) voters, and now runs light rail at a loss, the possible layoff of firefighters and police was floated to soften up the masses.

On the day of the vote on Tuesday, firefighters and policemen testified before the City Council that a food tax on milk, meat, vegetables and other food to protect their jobs would be a good thing.[2][3] Hugo himself might have exclaimed: "Quelle surprise!" Did anyone expect the firefighters and police to advocate for layoffs?

The Council voted 6-3 to collect the sales tax on food. Opponents of the tax have 30 days to collect 10,000 signatures for a petition to force a citywide referendum on the tax.

When the Mafia steals, the Mafia calls it "protection," and the state calls it theft. When the state steals, the state calls it a "privilege." Now Phoenix residents have the privilege of paying a 2% "transaction privilege tax," aka sales tax, on food, in addition to paying 8.3% for other purchases.

"...it is precisely the function of the State's ideological minions and allies to explain to the public that the Emperor does indeed have a fine set of clothes. In brief, the ideologists must explain that, while theft by one or more persons or groups is bad and criminal, that when the State engages in such acts, it is not theft but the legitimate and even sanctified act called 'taxation.'" Murray Rothbard

When potential police cuts were announced, Phoenicians quivered in fear, wondering who would protect them from common criminals if police were laid off.

Who will protect them from the criminal organization that is the state?

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[1] "Phoenix OKs 2% sales tax on food items," by Scott Wong, Feb. 3, 2010, The Arizona Republic, (Accessed at http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/02/02/20100202phoenix-food-sales-tax-approved.html on February 3, 2020).

"City Manager David Cavazos proposed eliminating 1,379 citywide positions, including nearly 500 police officers and firefighters. Among the dozens of targeted cuts, libraries and senior centers would be closed, an after-school program would be dismantled, and bus and light-rail service would be significantly reduced."

[2] "Phoenix Passes Food Tax," Sarah Buduson, KPHO.com, February 3, 2010, (Accessed at http://www.kpho.com/news/22417534/detail.html on February 3, 2010).

[3] Wong, ibid.

"But union leaders argued the tax would keep more police officers and firefighters on the streets and emergency response times down.

"Pete Gorraiz, president of the United Phoenix Firefighters Association, said city budget officials told him the food tax could provide a $6.9 million boost to the fire budget, saving nearly 40 firefighters' jobs and up to eight civilian employees. The extra revenue would spare three engine companies and an ambulance.

"'There are services, and there are critical services,' Gorraiz said. 'In our business, if you start taking away our ability to meet response times, it's literally the difference between life and death.'"