The Money Compass: Where Your Money Went and How to Get It Back

Chapter 13

Gratuity Government

Should I Take the Free Butter?1

The art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of citizens to give to the other.

—Voltaire, 1764

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury . . .

—possibly Alexander Fraser Tytler

As you read the book’s chapters, you may decide that the U.S. education system is not helping your children achieve their full potential, you may decide that credit card companies have replaced old, loan shark gangsters except the gangster charged less interest, and you may also notice the numbers bookie has been largely put out of work by state lottery systems that make it legitimate and easy to gamble. Of course, the government can come to your rescue if you have the right group of lobbyist on K Street. Whether an individual realizes it or not their potential has been taken from them. Is there any way for me to become a taker who can take something back from the government?

This chapter is written for the single individual who is asking that question. The chapter describes several government handout programs that a single individual should be able to apply for and receive government transfer payments. It is assumed our hypothetical single individual has graduated, ...