July, 2002

Extortion

Extortion: to twist; to wrest from; to wring or extract.

When the Mafioso does it, they call it extortion. When the Federal Government does it, they call it compliance requirement.

But the technique and the end purpose is the same; to force payment for something the citizen doesn't want or hadn't planned.

The Mafia says: purchase this little insurance policy and we will make sure your business doesn't get robbed or busted up.

The Federal Government says: comply with this requirement or we won't give you funds to build that bridge or support that school or hospital.

In West Virginia, the citizens and lawmakers were told that unless they passed a mandatory seat belt law, Federal highway funds would be withheld.

In Alaska, hospitals are told that unless they provide abortion services they will no longer receive public funds.

This action of using citizen tax dollars to whip citizens with compliance with authoritarian rules seems not a little like a combination of Nazi-ism and Mafioso-ism!

And, churches beware! Churches are about to receive federal monies to support faith-based ministries dedicated to serving the poor and needy, thus opening the door to outfits like Planned Parenthood (the nations number one abortion provider) who want to provide their services such as "sex education" for children and "pregnancy counseling" services for needful church members.

Extortion by any other name is still extortion!


- Bob Murphy