QOTD

Via Dick Puddlecote's link tank, wise words by magician, libertarian and Bullshit! co-host Penn Jillette.

It's amazing to me how many people think that voting to have the government give poor people money is compassion. Helping poor and suffering people is compassion. Voting for our government to use guns to give money to help poor and suffering people is immoral self-righteous bullying laziness.

People need to be fed, medicated, educated, clothed, and sheltered, and if we're compassionate we'll help them, but you get no moral credit for forcing other people to do what you think is right. There is great joy in helping people, but no joy in doing it at gunpoint.

People try to argue that government isn't really force. You believe that? Try not paying your taxes. (This is only a thought experiment -- suggesting on CNN.com that someone not pay his or her taxes is probably a federal offense, and I'm a nut, but I'm not crazy.). When they come to get you for not paying your taxes, try not going to court. Guns will be drawn. Government is force -- literally, not figuratively.

I've said similar things myself, but I don't think I've ever put it so concisely. I think that's going on the sidebar with the other good stuff. Do go read the rest, and have a trawl through the dismembered jewel thief's link tank too. There's often a few gems in there.