Part of being a libertarian is having to be consistent in a way others aren’t–THAT is our superpower and how we will eventually win. After all, the reason and logic of first principles is what many of us find attractive about the philosophy.
So it is disappointing to see libertarian institutions and “thought-leaders” with bad takes on the Florida’s legislature’s recent “deplatforming” of Disney’s tax status, e.g. Mises and Cato.
Earlier this week, I put up a tongue-in-cheek poll on Twitter. While it didn’t pull a big response, it is telling that 77% of the 39 respondents chose keeping Disney tax-free over punishing them. My followers are principled! Yay!
FL deplatforming Disney’s tax status
— Carla Gericke, Live Free & Thrive! (@CarlaGericke) April 20, 2022
While I understand the human desire to stick it to your enemies, stick it to the man, get one in because we’re always the ones getting shafted, this is NOT the way! If taxation is theft (and it is) then we should always work to reduce all taxes in all situations. This move by de Santis and the Florida legislature, while dramatic and fun and loin-gridding I’m sure, is NOT the solution to the perceived problem.