Jacob G. Hornberger Quote

"Another major reason why crime is increasing is that crime pays, and in our tax-ridden, regulation crushed economy, many people cannot economically survive through low-end jobs. ... 'The income that offenders can earn in the world of crime, as compared with the world of work, all too often makes crime appear to be the better choice.' In Washington, D.C., it costs $7,000 in city fees to open a pushcart. In California, up to eighty federal and state licenses are required to open a small business. In New York, a medallion to operate a taxicab costs $150,000. More than 700 occupations in the United States require a government license. Throughout the country, church soup kitchens are being closed by departments of health. No wonder so many people turn to crime and violence to survive."

by:	Jacob G. Hornberger (1950- ) American author, journalist, politician, founder and president of the Future of Freedom Foundation
Source:	Will You be Safer if Guns are Banned?, The Tyranny of Gun Control, 9-10 (1997).
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Categories:	Commerce, Crime, Government, Licensing, Monopoly, Oppression, Regulation, Tax
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Yep, crime pays...especially if you're in government. Land of the Free?....hardly.  -- J Carlton, Calgary      3
LOL, the primary crime in the government is that of letting the fat cats continue to get away with forcing the rest of us into slavery to those fat cats.  -- Anonymous, Reston, VA, US      3
I give it a 1 because it is true. The quote fails to point out that "we" the cities, towns and villages of this land charge fees and regulate things because that is the way WE want our cities, towns and villages to be run. I live in an Historic District. I cannot paint my home or do stylistic changes to the exterior without persmission form the Preservation Society. I support the Preservationists and agree with the District in maintaing it. So I and my neighbors give up some freedom. If folk want to live in places that have rules and regulations then they should abide by those rules and regulations or GET OUT. Hell, we raise hell about illegals because they flount rules and regulations, but guys like Carlton are just as bad in there desire to do so!  -- Waffler, Smith      2 1
And that being only the tip of the iceberg is only some of the stuff you just won't hear too much about on any of the major networks. Criminal acts that pay include compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, larceny with impunity, sexual mis-conduct before getting on planes, all regulation contrary to the laws of nature and of nature's God, unlawful fiscal policies approved by the statist theocracy, etc., etc., etc., until it all collapses. (then criminals with the biggest guns get to start over)  -- Mike, Norwalk      6
Also, pretty much everything is a crime now in California. There are just too many laws, and once your are convicted, you cannot get a job. The life of crime becomes the only life you have.  -- Cheryl, Avenal, CA      4
Waffler, you made me feel bad, you left me out. We all understand how you can't perceive life out side the slavery box and how that couldn't be freedom but, please always include me with those like Carlton that want to exist out side that box. Waffler, please show me the specific provision in the Constitution that authorizes the federal government to regulate immigration.  -- Mike, Norwalk      6
Where in the constitution does it say we can have an Air Force, Mike? As for the quote ... Most laws are made to punish the poor criminals while the corporations and powerful can get away with it. Case in point, the only person involved with the Iran Contra Crime [Reagan, Abrams, Schultz, McFarland, North, Poindexter et al.] that served jail time was Bill Breeden. who stolen a road sign named for Admiral John Poindexter.  -- Popeye, Wichita      2 1
Bite me Waffler. You are a ridiculous communist idiot who's entire philosophy is based on Communism...in other words "vermin". I advocate Constitutional AMERICAN values and you espouse "compliance to Big brother". You are truly a waste of skin and hardly an American of any kind.  -- J Carlton, Calgary      4 1
Popeye...the Constitution provides for the Common Defense. You should get out more, you really should.  -- J Carlton, Calgary      4
Only Komrad Waffler could find less than 5 stars for this quote.  -- jim k, Austin,Tx      3
You'll get no argument from me -- crime pays, just look at the government. When the government is criminal, the people will follow. It is not the big bad 'corporations' that are criminal per se, it is the money system that promotes it. The government needs crimes and criminals -- that is what it has come down to.  -- E Archer, NYC      4
rules-regs laws made by govpolice, courts, jails, attys, tax paid the circle is unbroken  -- Anonymous      2
Popeye, it doesn't, does that give you a clue. Can an Air Force constitutionally be part of a constitutional military? Absolutely. Were you trying to make a point with your question?  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
Indeed. The difference between and explicit power [Articles of Confederation] and an implicit power [Constitution]. There are many laws that Congress has made that are implied rather that explicit or specific as you mentioned about immigration. The show me "specifically" in the Constitution argument is "usually" fallacious. Yes of course we have an Air Force as we do enforcement of Immigration, food and drugs laws, work place safety, Communicable disease center, environmental protection etc. I agree there should be some limits but if the States refuse to act, then the Federal government steps in. The problem lies at the State level on many issues that the Federal government takes heat for. My greater and primary point remains and I noticed no one wants to take that on.  -- Popeye, Wichta      1
Mike I thought you claim to be a know it all concerning the Constitution, so why are you bugging me about it? I bet you guys like Carlton (oh he lives in Canada) obey rules and regualtions every day and then you call me a slave.  -- Waffler, Smith
Popeye, your reference to a living constitution with circular logic to support it is precisely why the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land ignores the constitution all together. The federal government was extremely limited as to scope of action and given specific authority over citizenship (intentionally not immigration - that was a state issue / skilled individuals, slaves, etc.) Your use of "implied laws' are from a socialist / progressive argument of "implied powers". Implied powers is always referenced from the "necessary and proper" clause of Article I, Sec 8 clause 18 (the socialists / progressives like to call it the elastic clause). Of course taken out of context as the rest of the clause reads " for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof." If it is not in the Constitution i.e., vested specifically therein, the federal government can not lawfully do it.  -- Mike, Norwalk      3
-- Ronw13, Yachats OR
If the disparity continues, the nation will implode and revolution is inevitable....  -- Robert, Somewhere in Europe
As said above, when the nation is corrupt so are the people... When CEO's keep getting increase's in salary and the minions below keep quite because their increases are related, until of course, you get to the workers who get minimum wage. The scams in the US are so numerous that recovery will be nearly impossible. Hence REVOLUTION!  -- Robert, Somewhere in Europe

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