We’ve all heard the classic axiom: “Work expands to the time allotted for it.”

Here are two parallels to ponder: “Government spending grows to the amount of taxes taken from citizens.” And, “spending explodes to the level of debt politicians choose to generate.”

Ponder too the wisdom of Albert Jay Nock: “It is an economic axiom as old as the hills that goods and services can be paid for only with goods and services.”

Now, consider those who receive various government transfer programs, manipulations and operations driving debt to heights seen only by astronauts.

Among others, people receiving subsidies (welfare, etc.) and companies protected from real competition.

The people and organizations on the receiving end of government transfers and bailouts either do not care about the coercion government exacts upon other citizens in order to deliver to them the unequal advantage they seek and the benefits they expect; or they are ignorantly aloof to what’s really been happening for years.

Some may buy into the social rationales offered by government officials or wish they were true. But while we might wish it was necessary, it isn’t.

No one should buy the rationales government offers, they are only seeds to self-deception. If you have bought into it – reconsider very carefully.

Why?

Historically, too many caring and well-meaning Americans have been “taken for a ride.”

How?

Many government programs enable some people (beneficiaries) to take money from other people without having to personally face those people being hurt by the confiscation.

With this in mind, imagine the following sequence of scenarios:

A person stops you on the sidewalk to ask if you can “spare some money.” They may be harmless and in a honestly genuine predicament.

Voluntarily you can help; that is, donate or not. In that scenario, you are free to choose without coercion of any sort.

Further down the sidewalk another person – armed with a gun – stops you.

Instead of asking if you can spare some money, the words you hear are “give me your money.” In this scenario, the weapon introduces coercion. And, coercion changes everything.

Technically, you have a choice. While the weapon increases the amount of money you would likely have to lose, you could choose to refuse. If you were to refuse, the perpetrator might use deadly force.

Now, consider the scenario that has been playing out in the United States.

Beginning almost 100 years ago, government began to function as society’s Robin Hood.

Remember the legend: “to rob from the rich to give to the poor?”

Moving forward several decades, Robin Hood’s attire changed to suits, bows to guns, horses to vehicles. Government’s programmed image remained like a Robin Hood, but behavior came to increasingly resemble those of Chicago hoods.

Al Capone might smile; but our founders would surely recoil in disgust.

Here’s the all too real situation confronting productive Americans:

Across the board, government uses coercion in all aspects of its operations.

For example, take the IRS. The income tax system is voluntary – right? Wrong.

Fail to comply and coercion follows. The gun of coercion is always there because coercion is the essence of laws, statutes and regulations.

Make no mistake, every time any person, group, company or industry lobbies government for legislation or some other seemingly innocuous program or action, special consideration or intervention, they want government to use coercion to get for them what they want taken from other citizens.

Only those people seeking such preferential advantage or treatment and wanting to take what others may have would tolerate government using coercion on other citizens in order to get what they want.

And, only those government officials who seek to retain political office – or the power to control others – would purposely use coercion to play Robin Hood in exchange for votes, political contributions and even pay-offs.

The evidence of government using coercion is clear. Now the motivation appears equally clear. To paraphrase John Marshall’s sage advice to citizens: “An unlimited power to coerce involves, necessarily, the power to destroy.”

Visit Key Surveys to answer this week’s poll question: “Does government use coercion to force citizen compliance?”

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens for Change. A professional member of the National Speakers Association, he is available pro bono for charitable fundraisers and public forums and can be reached via email at RichOlivastro@gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.