I just sent this letter to the Herald, in response to their article Blind have to fork out extra $61m a year:

Dear Sir,

Blindness is a tragic handicap, as is being significantly visually impaired. Even those with minor visual impairment (such as myopia) are faced with additional costs every year for opticians, glasses, corrective surgery, etc.

However, as unfair as that is, it doesn't justify the Government taking some peoples money, by force, and distributing it to others. If you or I were to rob someone to pay for the upkeep of a needy relative, the law would properly regard that as theft, and we'd be jailed. The same applies to the Government: theft is theft, regardless of whether it's perpetrated by one person acting alone, or thousands acting with the support of millions of voters.

By all means, support private charities that help the blind - there are many, they do excellent work, and they’re always in need of money. But the second you demand that people be coerced into financially supporting others, you’ve descended to the level of a common mugger.

Yours,
Duncan Bayne