Milton warned that "the attempt to keep out evil doctrine by licensing is like the exploit of that gallant man who thought to keep out the crows by shutting his park gate".Somewhat like the bureaucratic bunglers who think that you can change a persons behaviour by taxing the objects used in said behaviour, i.e. cigarettes, petrol, electricity etc.
A little like taxing sin.
The unintended consequences of misdirected punishment encourages people to; a) adopt more critical attitudes towards the greedy tax authorities (revenue raising!), and b) make people more adept at tax avoidance.
To punish for a behaviour might work to a degree and for a limited time but it also builds resentment. Convince people they are wrong and they will adjust their own behaviour.Thank goodness for grace.
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