I was taking part in a discussion about entrepreneurship the other day. One person was of the opinion that high taxes discouraged entrepreneurs, and if only taxes were minimal the economy would flourish.

This is nonsense. I have started several new companies or stand-alone projects, and tax was the last thing I thought of. On the contrary, the more tax you pay the more profit you must be earning.

To me, starting a new business, however small, was a exciting adventure, administering a going concern relatively tedious. The problem was not tax. I agree that bureaucracy is time-wasting and should be slimmed down. No, the greatest problem was finding educated self-starters to join me, people could use their initiative, could think for themselves and who didn’t rely on me to have all the ideas and make all the running. Not to mention people who could take over from me in due course.

All the above relies on education. Not even training. Education. And education requires resources and costs money. And that means tax.

It is for this reason that countries with selfish, reactionary right wing voters find it difficult to encourage entrepreneurs, because they will not make the investment in people (why should I pay for someone else’s education? is the attitude).

Many who complain about tax inherited their businesses and are effectively renters (Koch?) Money is the motivation, whereas with real entrepreneurs the excitement and challenge is the drug of choice. Epicureanism is the natural home of the entrepreneur, who wants to make money, yes, but at the same time values human lives and a government that works for us all.