... because nothing says wise government like redistribution.

"But it is a depressing argument that because you can't make something perfect you shouldn't try to make it better."

Fair enough. Problem is that "making it better" is not necessarily what any new regulations actually accomplish.

I wish laws came with empirically testable predictions, which if turned out to be false, would automatically cancel the law.

One supposes the deterrent effect is there.
OTOH, there is no way to "prevent gun crime", period, short of the place becoming a police state.

While at it, an adjacent memorial could list those whose lives were saved by armed defenders.

That's an awesome summary of the situation.

Let's not forget that the people who build the roads for the government need clothes .. and food .. and entertainment. Where's my government brothel?

"We're in a recession at the moment"

Actually, we're not. Technically, the US recession ended in 2009, when the GDP started growing again.

"The ultimate idea is to keep employment up - the more people working, the fewer that need welfare support."

Except for those who are working are doing so by virtue of work-for-welfare.

Tax breaks are still of a qualitatively lesser evil - they just allow the earner to keep more of his money.

... and why stop there. You've got a good plan going, just need a good bolshevik revolution to get a country to try it.

... and food grown. Nationalize farming too, why not, it belongs to "the people", as opposed to the ones who husband the land, or the ones actually extracting said minerals.

"In other words a strong government."

So you're a libertarian, who believes government could constraint itself to judicial matters? Welcome, brother.

"Libertarian Paradise of the Congo"

Cute. But give them a good judicial system, and a bunch of time, and they may impress even you.

Are you not aware of what fraction of that consists of canadian / provincial taxes?

" I do believe that ultimately a nations resources belong to [its] people"

Why stop with oil. Your underwear is your nation's resource too - hand it over.

"We need about 30% more revenue to balance the budget right now"

I think it's closer to 50%, and that's just for the current year's deficit, with no repayment of the accumulated debt principal. At least that's not mathematically impossible for now; twenty years of entitlement growths later though, who knows.

"Anything wrong with [work-for-welfare]?"

Dunno; the left generally hates it, which is a good sign :-). It'd have to pay below-minimum-wage to meet your criteria of not competing with the private sector.