by Benjamin Marks, Economics.org.au editor-in-chief

Continuing my search for libertarian activism ideas that I have not come across before, and which, therefore, cannot be shown to have already failed, here’s one more that readers might like to consider putting money towards or helping to implement:

Leverage the publicity that government gets when they convict someone for tax evasion, by praising the tax evader’s martyrdom for the libertarian cause. This could be done by holding a competition giving the tax evader a publicity-worthy prize, like donating libertarian books to their prison library, paying their fine, paying for their unincarcerated family to go on a round-the-world holiday, or giving their wife a cheque for, say, $10,000. Maybe the competition could be held yearly or ten-yearly, and the winner could be labelled “Tax Evader of the Year” or “Tax Evader of the Decade.”

The prize should only go to someone actually convicted of tax evasion. That the tax evader may himself feel that he has done something wrong should not influence the choice of winner. We can educate him too. It could be that he doesn’t want the publicity, and that should be taken into consideration (by simply asking him); but there are many convicted tax evaders that are already in the public eye, and a bit of positive publicity could not possibly do them any harm, considering how harshly the media usually treat them.

Press releases should mention:

  1. That the service the tax evader provides was affordable, high quality, in the consumer’s best interest, etc. This way the competition doubles as an advertisement for the tax evader’s business.
  2. That those running the competition do not advocate tax evasion. And emphasise that the only reason we do not advocate it is because: you might get caught! (This has the added benefit that we would not be accused of advocating “crime”.)
  3. That it was not a fair trial with an independent judge, as there is conflict of interest when the tax evader is sentenced by a tax-recipient judge.
  4. That the organisation running the competition accepts tax-deductible donations. That would be appropriate and publicity-worthy.
  5. That tax evaders are political prisoners.
  6. Neville Kennard’s article, “Tax Avoidance is a Patriotic Duty.” Perhaps the award could be given out on Australia Day each year, to counter the government glorification of the Australia Day honour roll.
  7. A selection of the anarchocapitalist arguments from the middle and right columns of Economics.org.au.