Correcting social inequities

(In response to the author's article about the government's important role in improving race relations, I sent him this reply.  No response from him.)

Your letter indicates you feel government programs are responsible for the progress in race relations and any reduction in these assumed beneficial social services will lead to a continuation of the problems. 

It is regrettable that intelligent and well-intentioned people continue to make this erroneous assumption.  Perhaps a clearer understanding of how government produces “equality of opportunity” would persuade you to change your opinion.  To understand government is to know the meaning of the word, coercion, for that is the basic characteristic of all governments.  All government programs, no matter how beneficial they may seem, use force as the means of producing a “level playing field”.

This aspect of government is easily overlooked for you are shielded from witnessing the negative effect on me and millions of other individuals who are forced to sacrifice over 50% of our income to support what we consider to be immoral programs. 

Ask yourself this question: would you personally be willing to come to my door and by threat of force take 50% of my income to support your favorite government programs?  If your answer is yes, would you be willing to forcefully take possession of my assets or my home, over my indignant objection, just to pay for your so-called morally acceptable ideas?  If your answer is no, do you feel it is morally acceptable for a government agency to forcefully take from me on your behalf?  In other words, is it okay for the IRS to do your dirty work so you can turn your head the other way and not have to witness the destruction of my life in the name of the law? 

Further more, is it morally acceptable to your religious faith to support laws responsible for the use of force?  It should be remembered, by voting, you endorse the political candidates responsible for the education, job training, health care and other government social services funded in part by the tax money taken from me without my consent. 

The use of government force has helped create the very division, disharmony and misunderstanding you deplore.  Like an addictive elixir it has lured the same oppressed classes you wish to help into a life of dependence and has never promoted the self-responsibility necessary to securing their liberation from the “inequities of their birth circumstances”.  There is no “equality of opportunity” in giving those who desire to live off of the labor of others the unlimited power to satisfy whichever group has the necessary votes or influence.

In contrast, peaceful voluntary cooperation would honor each individual’s unique perceptions and beliefs, no matter how diverse they may be, without forcing anyone to accept one point of view over another. Force can never legitimately encourage the spirit of cooperation for it is not based on love, nor does it recognize the underlying spiritual unity we all share.  In fact, the use of force is a denial and violation of the religious principals you profess.

I oppose the use of government/force to correct any problem you may view as socially unjust.  From my point of view immoral means can never justify the ends and I will always resist and condemn any of your efforts to employ this method.  However, I would be happy to support any non-violent private program or any loving, compassionate testament that encourages improved race relations through voluntary cooperation.