Saturday, May 3, 2014

A Catechism

[I was amusing myself by reading some of Bob Warr's blog posts from a couple years ago.  Sometimes he actually makes sense. "Catechism" is quoted directly and in its entirety.]

Based on the eighth commandment. “Thou shalt not steal.”

1. Is this injunction to be taken literally?

Yes, but with certain exceptions.

2. What are the exceptions?

Principally, in the cases wherein the State grants a license to steal.

3. Can you cite examples to illustrate your assertion?

Yes. The banking industry, for example. Banks are granted a license to steal.

Also, telecommunications companies are licensed to conduct business, i.e., a license to steal.

4. Are there other examples?

Yes, a case in point is the State itself, in which it licenses to itself the power of operating lotteries, thereby stealing vast amounts of money from those who can least afford the loss.

Also, the taxation systems in many federal, state, and local governments are essentially licenses to steal, inasmuch as the "ins" use the codes in overreach of their legitimate function in pursuit of activities not granted to them in their constitutions, thereby taking from some illegitimately to buy votes from others. Stealing.  There are yet other instances.

5. If the State then is a role-model for our moral behavior, then is it not right for me to steal if it is to benefit me or my kin?

No, the State will throw you in jail quicker than baking soda reacts with vinegar in a fifth-grade science experiment. “Do as we say, not as we do,” is the mantra of the State.

6. I see. Then essentially might we accurately say we are screwed?

Yes.

7 comments:

Vee said...

Laughing here!

Secondary Roads said...

Number six sums it up with accuracy.

vanilla said...

Vee, well, at the funny parts, I hope. Bob may have been a bit harsh on the bankers, I mean, after all one may husband his resources in some other manner; he may have been too hard on the telecoms, I mean, buy an antenna. But as for the public servants who misdirect funds and especially for the lotteries, Bob is spot-on.

Chuck, yes; that summarizes it accurately.

Grace said...

Lotteries benefit the state, true - every state uses their 'winnings' for different programs. I like my dollar and a dream. As for those folks who spend more than a dollar, they're not dreamers, they are delusional.

vanilla said...

Grace, this morning when I paid for my meat and bread purchase at the market, the girl asked, "Would you like to buy a lottery ticket?" "No, thank you," I replied. "I don't participate." See, I am nice to people, including those who sell, and buy, the tickets. I am pleased to know that you use it as entertainment only, no addiction. :o

Sharkbytes said...

Amen, and amen, forevermore.

vanilla said...

Sharkey, always appreciate the encouragement.