Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by Terr_ 17 days ago
> Are gifts morally wrong?

If we're going to talk about morality, I think we need to talk about the government as one of the moral actors.

Imagine this scenario, exaggerated to make a point:

1. Alice receives $X. It's from her boss, for laboring in the mines every day. Government man says: "Give me 20% to pay for the shared roads, or you go to jail."

2. Bob receives $X. It's from his parents, for doing nothing other than being born related to them. Government man says: "Gee, I just can't do anything here, I guess I'll have to shake down Alice even harder next time."

Isn't there something off about the morality of Government Man's choices?