MARINA DEL REY, CALIF.-President Bush's tax bill has been called unjust by many in Congress. These critics are wrong-the bill is a step in the direction of greater justice, said a senior writer for the Ayn Rand Institute.
"The opponents of the tax cut do not want justice," said Edwin A. Locke. "They want redistribution of wealth. They want to confiscate the income earned by the wealthy and give it to people who have not earned it. They want the rich-which include many of the most productive people in society-to be the servants of the poor."
Locke said the justification for the redistribution of wealth favored by Bush's opponents is the morality of altruism. He added that altruism has nothing to do with benevolence or generosity, but with self-sacrifice. It is the doctrine that you have a duty to live for others.
"The tax code enforces altruism through government coercion," said Locke. "Earning money through voluntary trade is replaced by the government taking money by force in order to achieve its altruistic goals. But when the property of some people is seized and given to others, it is an injustice.
"The doctrine of altruism induces, and is meant to induce, guilt. It makes the successful feel that they have no right to their achievements. The goal of altruism is to disarm the producers morally so that they will not defend their right to their lives and property. Thus, it is not surprising that the rich often support higher taxes for themselves. The Bush tax cut is a small remedy to alleviate altruism in America, but it should be only the first step on the long road back to justice."
Ayn Rand Institute senior writer Edwin A. Locke is available for interviews.
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