Stopping illegal immigration would mean that wages would have to rise to a level where Americans would want the jobs currently taken by illegal aliens.
Thomas SowellRead
What do you call it when someone steals someone else's money secretly? Theft. What do you call it when someone takes someone else's money openly by force? Robbery. What do you call it when a politician takes someone else's money in taxes and gives it to someone who is more likely to vote for him? Social Justice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the different forms of taking money from others, contrasting theft, robbery, and socially sanctioned political actions.
In this quote, Thomas Sowell draws a distinction between three different actions involving the acquisition of money: theft, which is secretive and illicit; robbery, which is overt and violent; and the political practice of redistributing wealth through taxation under the guise of 'social justice.' The statement highlights a perceived hypocrisy in labeling the latter as noble, while the former actions are clearly condemned. Sowell encourages a critical examination of how societal norms shift definitions and moral judgments based on context.
Themes
TheftRobberySocial JusticePoliticsTaxation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a debate about the ethics of taxation.
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