Apparently

Then if you feel like getting a little angry at some socialists, read Pesto's Blog

In my opinion, what a load of bks.

(and I don't think some people grasp the difference between avoidance and evasion).

I'd like to make you a business offer.

Seriously. This is a real offer. In fact, you really can't turn me down, as you'll come to understand in a moment...

Here's the deal. You're going to start a business or expand the one you've got now. It doesn't really matter what you do or what you're going to do. I'll partner with you no matter what business you're in – as long as it's legal.

But I can't give you any capital – you have to come up with that on your own. I won't give you any labour – that's definitely up to you. What I will do, however, is demand you follow all sorts of rules about what products and services you can offer, how much (and how often) you pay your employees, and where and when you're allowed to operate your business. That's my role in the affair: to tell you what to do.

Now in return for my rules, I'm going to take roughly a third of whatever you make in the business each year. A third seems fair, doesn't it? I think so. Of course, that's a third of your profits. And you know what, just to make it more attractive, if you choose to pay yourself an income instead of keeping the money in the business I'll take up to half instead of only a third. Well, you know that growing businesses need an incentive for investment, so that seems like a good deal.

You're also going to have to pay me about 12% of whatever you decide to pay your employees because you've got to cover my expenses for promulgating all of the rules about who you can employ, when, where, and how. Come on, you're my partner. It's only "fair."

Now... after you've put your hard-earned savings at risk to start this business, and after you've worked hard at it for a few decades (paying me my 33% or a bit more along the way each year), you might decide you'd like to cash out – to finally live the good life.

Whether or not this is "fair" – some people never can afford to retire – is a different argument. As your partner, I'm happy for you to sell whenever you'd like... because our agreement says, if you sell, you have to pay me an additional 28% of whatever the increased capital value of the business is at that time.

I know... I know... you put up all the original capital. You took all the risks. You put in all of the labor. That's all true. But I've done my part, too. I've collected 33% of the profits each year. And I've always come up with more rules for you to follow each year. Therefore, I deserve another, final 28% slice of the business.

Oh... and one more thing...

Even after you've sold the business and paid all of my fees... I'd recommend buying lots of life insurance. You see, even after you've been retired for years, when you die, you'll have to pay me 40% of your entire estate over about 250k.

After all, I've got lots of partners and not all of them are as successful as you and your family. We don't think it's "fair" for your kids to have such a big advantage. But if you buy enough life insurance, you can finance this expense for your children.

All in all, if you're a very successful entrepreneur... if you're one of the rare, lucky, and hard-working people who can create a new company, employ lots of people, and satisfy the public... you'll end up paying me more than 70% of your income over your life. Thanks so much.

I'm sure you'll think my offer is reasonable and happily partner with me... but it doesn't really matter how you feel about it because if you ever try to stiff me – or cheat me on any of my fees or rules – I'll break down your door in the middle of the night, threaten you and your family with lawsuits funded by an infinite pool of money - amusingly enough, that's a pool you contribute to - and throw you in jail.

That's how civil society is supposed to work, right? Because that's the offer the state gives its entrepreneurs.

To do anything less than pay it all in tax is tax avoidance and morally corrupt.

Exactly.

The government actually creates secific tax avoidance measures to encourage certain topes of behaviour - such as saving or paying into a pension.