capitalism is a Government Program

ABC This Week | 1/13/2002 | George Will

[tonyinv]

George Will just uttered the most absurd statement I've ever heard. He said (paraphrasing)

"Rebpublicans need to understand that capitalism is complex web of laws and regulations" and further "that capitalism is a government program"

I knew George Will wasn't exactly a conservative, but this is unbelievable.

[PatrioticAmerican]

You said that the government doesn't control who you gift property to. I state that they do. You cannot gift something to someone without taxes being paid that are prohibitive to the gift. You cannot give a house to someone after your death as that property must pay 50% in death taxes, such that most people cannot afford the 50% and the government takes the house. That is control by the government. Taxes had already been paid on the property through the life of the property. It is a marxist ideal that wealth should not be accumulated, and, hence, death taxes should be applied to redistribute the wealth.

Any government regulation or law, including prohibitive taxation, that hinders gifting of property is government control.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Remember, the point of discussion is not the value of taxation, as well agree that public funds are required in our society, but if this country has slide into a form of communism. I argue that we have.

[TopQuark]

Ownership doesn't equal absolute control? Why is that? what controls do I not have when I own something?

The government retains the rights of taxation, eminent domain, police power, and escheat. The remainder of rights, called fee simple, is what YOU have when YOU own the house.

Even if you remove taxation, there remain three kinds of duties that limit your ownership.

[TopQuark]

You said that the government doesn't control who you gift property to Your examples show that there is a cost associated with giving a gift. That is true. But WHOM you give the house to, as I said earlier, is not controlled by the govenment.

It is like exiting a toll road: there is a cost associated with it, but where you go is up to you.

[TopQuark]

if this country has slide into a form of communism. I argue that we have I thought we were discussing the role of the government in relation to capitalism.