In light of the way our government is operating today, I was inspired to look up the definition of the word racket. Webster says, “Any method of exploitation for money, ranging from petty charlatanry, illicit business and gambling schemes to an organized extortion crime ring operating by the use of violence, with hired legal protection and bribery of politicians.”

Read that again.

Just in case that didn't resonate with you, let me cite a few examples.

Consider the lottery. Gambling was illegal for many years and then our government realized that they could get much revenue from it. They cooked up the lottery. A huge portion of the price of tickets goes into the government coffers. Businesses that sell the tickets are the pawn of the system.

A small portion ends up being awarded as “winnings” but it is then taxed as income to the tune of around 30 percent.

A few areas were made “legal” for casinos to justify the lottery but they also generate much government revenue.

Some lottery money is handed back for projects such as parks. It seems great on the surface but let's consider the cost.

If someone gave me a horse you might say what a wonderful gift.

The downside is the new ongoing costs you are saddled with. There are costs of stabling, tack, veterinary, shoeing, grain, hay and manure removal.

A “free” park saddles you with maintenance, insurance and policing.

Another area of predation is the tobacco tax. On the one hand they tell you it's bad for your health but they levy a large tax on tobacco.

The revenue was purported to go for smoking-related health care, but that was just smoke and mirrors.

The latest racket rising is the sudden change in attitude toward the use of marijuana. Is that pungent odor rising, the smell of tax revenue?

Could we justify tobacco use as a treatment for depression? Call it medical tobacco.

What's next? Isn't cocaine use a treatment for a psychological disorder?

The Haiti crisis brings another government racket to our attention.

Many years ago I had one brother. My parents discovered that a young girl they knew had lost both parents. She was trying to care for two little brothers. My parents brought them all home.

One day I had one brother. The next day I had three brothers and a sister.

Today my parents would be jailed and my brother and I would have been sent to a foster home.

The adoption process now takes five years and can cost $30,000. That's cruelty to children and extortion.

Also, the way business is regulated and taxed has become a racket.

All the new drilling and mining produces a wonderful and maybe temporary cash flow to the government. Does all this largess get used to benefit us and relieve the pressure of tax burdens?

Of course not! It is used to acquire more “horses” of questionable value and in so doing loads us with larger and ongoing cost of government.

How about offsetting dump fees and encouraging people to use the dump and handle hazardous waste so desperate people don't dump it in the river or down the drain to avoid cost?

How about eliminating property tax? More people could afford housing and also afford higher quality housing if they were not penalized for success.

Property tax is an implicit statement by government that they really own all property and you just pay a lease.

If you don't believe me, just stop paying it. They will take it and sell it at auction.

Another racket is Medicare. All the money you paid in was originally supposed to be there for you along with the accumulated interest and to be non-taxed upon withdrawal.

Guess what? They lied! The fund has been depleted by government predation and you are taxed on the payments you receive.

Is health care just another bunch of “free” horses?

Is global warming another government racket?

Does buying votes (Nebraska) qualify?

Go back and read that definition of racket or look it up yourself.

God bless America — give us freefrom!



Ross L. Talbott lives in New Castle.