Morally legalized theft

The following words are from this memo by Rothbard (some quotation marks omitted to clarify the text outside its full context):

Here is one example of centralized governmental operation: Paul wants some of Peter's property. For morel as well as legal reasons, Paul is unable personally to accomplish this desire. Paul therefore persuades the government to tax Peter in order to provide funds with which the government pays Paul a 'subsidy.' Paul now has what he wanted. His conscience is clear and he has proceeded 'according to law'.

The fact that there are millions of Pauls and Peters involved in such transactions does not change their essential and common characteristic. The Pauls have simply engaged the government to do for them that which they were unable to do for themselves. Had the Pauls done this individually and directly without the help of the government each of them would have been subject to fine and imprisonment. Furthermore, ninety-five percent of the Paula would have refused to do the job because the moral conscience of each Paul wou1d have hurt him if he did. However, where government does it for them, there is no prosecution and no pain in anybody's conscience. This encourages the unfortunate impression that by using the ballot instead of a blackjack we may take whatever we please to take from our neighbors.