I've always said that the major difference between liberals and conservatives is that liberals believe your money belongs to the government and that it tells you how much you can keep. A conservative believes your money is your property and that you tell the govenment how much they can take.

Exhibit A - Rep. Keith Ellison.

CNS News:

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) told a gathering of Democrats, "The bottom line is we're not broke, there's plenty of money, it's just the government doesn't have it."

Ellison was discussing his 'Inclusive Prosperity Act' measure at the July 25th Progressive Democrats of America roundtable in Washington.

"People like, George Soros, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Paul Krugman, Joe Stiglitz, Jeffrey Sax, Dean Baker, Robert Poland, Larry Summers have said they all support a transaction tax," Ellison said.

"The bottom line is we're not broke, there's plenty of money, it's just the government doesn't have it," Ellison continued, "The government has a right, the government and the people of the United States have a right to run the programs of the United States. Health, welfare, housing - all these things."

The 'Inclusive Prosperity Act' would levy a sales tax on the trading of stocks, bonds and derivatives. Ellison estimates it would generate $300 billion in revenues annually.

According to the bill revenue raised will go to several priorities and, "fund international sustainable prosperity programs such as health care investments, AIDS treatment, research and prevention programs, climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts by developing countries, and international assistance."

So we tax stocks and bonds in order to fund programs in other countries? Yeah, that will go over real well with voters, Keith.

But it is the rancid attitude that the wealth of the nation belongs to government that makes Ellison's stomach turning ideas unacceptable. If all those Democrats support his "transaction tax," I suggest that all Democrats run on it. They should go to the American people and tell them that their hard earned wages are government property and that the state can reach into their pockets and take their property anytime.

Needles to say, they won't do it. They'd lose in a landslide. But as a barometer of what liberals actually believe, there is no better illustration.