- Aug 10, 2009
- 168,037
- 16,519
- 2,165
- Banned
- #1
Here is a wonderful example that is true even 76 years later about how Mormon Nation thinks about government.
"Some persons have peculiar notions about our government, its activities, services and costs. They look upon the cost of government as a burden upon society. Taxes are considered an evil and something to be avoided (or even evaded) if possible.
In reality, the expense of government is no more of a burden than the cost of telephone, transportation or Postal Service. For example, if a business concern should purchase a truck for delivery service, that would be a legitimate expense. But if the same business is asked to pay a gasoline tax to help construct and maintain a hard surface road over which the truck is to operate, that would probably be regarded as a burden, because it is a governmental function.
Likewise the typical taxpayer considers his payments for fire insurance an ordinary expense. But he "knows" that his payments in the form of taxes to keep a trained and well-equipped fire department to protect his home and property are not an expense, but a burden. Similarly, the cost of his summer cottage or his country club is not a burden, though the cost of public parks is a burden; the education of his daughter at a private musical conservatory is merely an expense, but payments through taxes for their education and public schools is a burden.
In spite of this inexplicable attitude toward taxes and government, people continue to press for more governmental services. The question is not one of expense, if we really want the service; it is merely a question of who can render the service best at the least cost. If the government can build our roads, provide public parks and educate our children more effectively and more efficiently than we could do it ourselves, then the people are justified in shifting such functions from private service to public or governmental service.
Some of the more recent fields of governmental intervention are along the lines of economic and social welfare. Considerable labor legislation, including minimum wage laws, compensation and insurance laws, eight hour day laws, child labor laws, and laws requiring factory and mine sanitation have been enacted in recent years.
Public health is being promoted through clinics, hospitals, publicity and medical supervision. Community recreation is provided through public parks and supervised playgrounds. Pure food laws regulate what we eat and drink.
In many respects the government has become an agency of social reform."
- Priesthood and Church Welfare; A Study Course for the Quorums of the Melchizedek Priesthood for the year 1939 - prepared under the direction of the Council of the Twelve, pages 105-107
"Some persons have peculiar notions about our government, its activities, services and costs. They look upon the cost of government as a burden upon society. Taxes are considered an evil and something to be avoided (or even evaded) if possible.
In reality, the expense of government is no more of a burden than the cost of telephone, transportation or Postal Service. For example, if a business concern should purchase a truck for delivery service, that would be a legitimate expense. But if the same business is asked to pay a gasoline tax to help construct and maintain a hard surface road over which the truck is to operate, that would probably be regarded as a burden, because it is a governmental function.
Likewise the typical taxpayer considers his payments for fire insurance an ordinary expense. But he "knows" that his payments in the form of taxes to keep a trained and well-equipped fire department to protect his home and property are not an expense, but a burden. Similarly, the cost of his summer cottage or his country club is not a burden, though the cost of public parks is a burden; the education of his daughter at a private musical conservatory is merely an expense, but payments through taxes for their education and public schools is a burden.
In spite of this inexplicable attitude toward taxes and government, people continue to press for more governmental services. The question is not one of expense, if we really want the service; it is merely a question of who can render the service best at the least cost. If the government can build our roads, provide public parks and educate our children more effectively and more efficiently than we could do it ourselves, then the people are justified in shifting such functions from private service to public or governmental service.
Some of the more recent fields of governmental intervention are along the lines of economic and social welfare. Considerable labor legislation, including minimum wage laws, compensation and insurance laws, eight hour day laws, child labor laws, and laws requiring factory and mine sanitation have been enacted in recent years.
Public health is being promoted through clinics, hospitals, publicity and medical supervision. Community recreation is provided through public parks and supervised playgrounds. Pure food laws regulate what we eat and drink.
In many respects the government has become an agency of social reform."
- Priesthood and Church Welfare; A Study Course for the Quorums of the Melchizedek Priesthood for the year 1939 - prepared under the direction of the Council of the Twelve, pages 105-107
