Episode 7: Is Taxation Theft?

Our first remote podcast, with Ben being on vacation. In the current events, we discuss the recent short-lived coup in Russia led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner paramilitary group. Then we note China's efforts to increase military activities in Cuba. In domestic news, a new report has shown test scores continuing to decline in the U.S. In the U.K., the economy is in crisis because of excessive mortgage burdens for their citizens. And finally, the Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana had to redistrict for better representation of black voters. In our book club segment, we talk about chapter 5 of "Supreme Inequality" by Adam Cohen, focused on campaign finance decisions by the Court. And for our deep dive, we have a discussion on perhaps the most fundamental issue that divides Democrats and Republicans: the ethics and use of taxation. Is it immoral theft? Or is it a tool to create a more prosperous society?