Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: Whatever is above that is a direct tax; and if the amount of that tax be left to the will and pleasure of another, it is…

On the record
Whatever is above that is a direct tax; and if the amount of that tax be left to the will and pleasure of another, it is an arbitrary tax.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke defines arbitrary taxation, emphasizing that taxes above a certain threshold are unjust if left to others' discretion.

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