"Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery"

Calvin Coolidge's quote, "Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery," encapsulates a basic stress in the viewpoint of governance and fiscal policy. At its core, the declaration highlights a concern over government overreach and the ethical ramifications of taxation. Coolidge, known for his fiscally conservative policies throughout his presidency in the 1920s, thought in limited federal government intervention, and his quote shows this ideology.

The phrase "gathering more taxes than is definitely necessary" suggests a scrutinizing method to governmental budgeting and costs. It implies that taxes ought to just be levied to the level that they are required for necessary federal government functions. The word "absolutely" emphasizes minimalism in financial policy, urging governments to restrain from accumulating funds beyond their immediate requirements. This point of view encourages performance and fiscal obligation, promoting for lower taxes to leave more resources in the hands of individuals and businesses.

Calling extreme tax "legislated burglary" introduces a strong ethical dimension. "Robbery" is a packed term that equates unnecessary taxation with theft, a criminal act. This choice of words illustrates a belief that taking more than what is essential from people, even under the guise of legality, is morally questionable. It touches on the idea of residential or commercial property rights and specific sovereignty, suggesting that people have a basic right to keep their incomes and wealth, and that extreme government intervention weakens this right.

Moreover, the quote prompts more comprehensive questions about what makes up "required" government spending. Varying political ideologies translate state obligations variably, affecting views on tax roles. Coolidge's argument interest those who focus on private financial flexibility over expansive federal government roles in social welfare and public infrastructure.

In conclusion, Coolidge's quote serves as a powerful critique of excess in tax, advocating for a restricted federal government design where fiscal policy is firmly lined up with necessity instead of excess. It challenges policymakers to validate tax levels and requires a fragile balance in between public requirements and private prosperity.