CNN has an opinion piece written by none other than Penn Jillette. In the piece he explains his reasoning for being an atheist and libertarian. I’m ignoring the first part because I’ve made it a point on this site to not discuss religious topics (it’s not because I’m worried about offending anybody, it’s simply because I don’t care to argue about it and religious topics always lead to arguments), but I wanted to point out a piece in the article that perfectly explains why most libertarians are against the idea of wealth redistribution (social security, welfare, Medicare, and every other government social welfare program):
It’s amazing to me how many people think that voting to have the government give poor people money is compassion. Helping poor and suffering people is compassion. Voting for our government to use guns to give money to help poor and suffering people is immoral self-righteous bullying laziness.
People need to be fed, medicated, educated, clothed, and sheltered, and if we’re compassionate we’ll help them, but you get no moral credit for forcing other people to do what you think is right. There is great joy in helping people, but no joy in doing it at gunpoint.
People try to argue that government isn’t really force. You believe that? Try not paying your taxes. (This is only a thought experiment — suggesting on CNN.com that someone not pay his or her taxes is probably a federal offense, and I’m a nut, but I’m not crazy.). When they come to get you for not paying your taxes, try not going to court. Guns will be drawn. Government is force — literally, not figuratively.
I don’t have to even add commentary to that, the argument is already perfectly stated.