Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

June 29, 2011

Tax victims in Illinois have the option of directing a portion of the funds extorted from them toward private charities. Unfortunately, this tax return check-off program entrusts those funds to the criminal enterprise called the Illinois state government.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the state government ?has borrowed about $1.17 million this fiscal year from money that taxpayers designate on their tax returns for charitable use. ? This isn?t ?borrowing?; it?s simple embezzlement at worst, and criminal fraud at best. In addition to the supposedly ?borrowed? funds, the Illinois government has ?swept? ? that is, stolen outright ? at least another $434,000.

Given the profligacy of the Illinois state government, these amounts are comparatively minuscule. But even small amounts of money can make a dramatic difference for groups engaged in actual charity, rather than coercive wealth redistribution. Food banks, emergency nurseries and shelters, and community-based health care organizations have been denied promised funds while the state government scrambles to protect its unionized tax-feeder constituencies.

It?s quite likely that similar official embezzlement is happening elsewhere.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.