Is a criminal action still a crime if The State does it?
- If you initiate force or fraud against others, you’re committing a crime
- It’s equally a crime if The State does it
- Reject double-standards. Call all initiated-force by the same name: crime.
For example, The State routinely commits the crimes of….
- Assault and kidnapping, when it arrests people who have initiated no force or fraud
- Murder, if such an arrest leads to death
- Counterfeiting and theft, when it inflates the currency
But these are just a few examples. The full list of The State’s crimes would be nearly endless. This is because, sadly…
The State rarely uses force properly, in a defensive way only. Nearly everything it does involves initiation, and is therefore criminal. These crimes create victims — real human beings who suffer real harm.
Engage in Leveraged Thinking. Start using the idea that “The State commits crimes when it initiates force” as a Mental Lever.
Politicians love euphemism. They refuse to speak plainly. When they want to impose their preferences on others they call it social policy, economic justice, a subsidy, or some other nice-sounding phrase designed to hide the violence-based nature of their actions. Don’t be fooled. For every issue ask yourself the following question…
Does a proposed political policy require a threat of aggressive force to make innocent people act against their own conscience or preference, or does the policy merely deal with the defensive use of force, such as with criminal justice?
- If the proposed policy initiates force against innocent people, then it is aggressive, criminal, and improper. But…
- If the proposed policy only uses force when people are harming others, then it is a non-aggressive defensive use of force. That makes it a proper governmental function.
Ask yourself a few more questions…
- Would you feel justified using a gun yourself to make your neighbors, friends, or family obey the proposed policy.
- Does wrong become right just because the action in question is being committed by an Agent of The State?
- Does wrong become right just because a majority approves?
Bring it all together…
A crime is a crime, no matter who commits the action. If The State commits a criminal act, then call it a crime. Do not employ euphemisms to hide the criminality.
Use this Metal Lever to improve the world.
- Share it on Facebook and Google+
- Copy the text of the above article into the comments section on relevant blog and Facebook posts. Make sure to link back to the article to bring more people to the Zero Aggression Project.
- Use this Mental Lever in conversations.
By matt February 10, 2015 - 9:21 pm
There are so many things the govt does today that are examples of committing a crime. What the hell has happened to people? What is wrong with their brains that makes them think the actions they are taking are lawful and fair and proper? It really saddens me to watch and read stories, so many of them, showing just how off base and improper so many public sector workers cause so much harm to others, many times those others have done nothing.
By TomWiegsnd August 8, 2015 - 9:57 am
Good example is government routinely extort under the euphemism of compromise or plea bargaining.
By Penni B July 27, 2016 - 3:35 pm
We tacitly consent to larger crimes of State when we permit our government to spend our hard-earned money on things we would never consent to otherwise. Aid to dependent dictators is one listed at http://www.downsizeDC.org , as is the TSA’s violation of personal privacy, and the recent assault on a handicapped teen. One that is *not* separately listed is the giving of tax-payer dollars to Planned (un) Parenthood, when they not only violate the ZAP, but also are making plenty of money from selling pre-born babies’ body parts. When I complain about this one, I use the ‘Deny Consent to Government Criminality’ general complaint.(since there is not a separate campaign for it) Frankly , I think that my ability to use the ‘Deny Consent’ campaign actually gives me an advantage, in that it permits me to cover everything from the EPA destroying land owner rights to PP funding.
By Marianne E. B. Markham March 19, 2017 - 4:43 pm
Easy to understand and to the point! This is very well written. I’m glad I discovered this website. 🙂
By Perry Willis March 22, 2017 - 11:25 am
Thank you Marianne!
By Release the Spyce June 19, 2018 - 1:55 am
So taking from the land without leaving enough and as good for others to appropriate is a crime? Are landowners who disregard the golden rule criminals who initiate force against the equal liberties of others?