German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said in a newspaper interview that the German government will buy stolen information on Swiss bank accounts, backed by a poll showing voter support for the purchase if it helps fight tax fraud.
The Swiss case is similar legally to the case that begun two years ago, when German authorities bought client data in Liechtenstein for five million euro’s and used the information to pursue tax evaders. “For this reason we could hardly decide otherwise,” Schaeuble was cited as saying. The decision has already been taken “in principle.” A bulk of Germans, 57 percent, said they support using information on tax violations even if it was illegally obtained, a poll of 1000 people for Stern magazine showed. 43 percent said they oppose such a move according to the same poll. How come 57 percent of the people agree with steeling?
Should the German government buy stolen goods? The moral questions raised have prompted a debate across the political spectrum, with Switzerland warning that buying the CD would be illegal. "Generally speaking we believe that it is difficult for states to use illegal data," said Swiss President Doris Leuthard. "This would mean doing business with criminals, which is against the law." Members of opposition parties in Germany have encouraged the government to buy the data on behalf of "honest taxpayers." Others argued that the tax revenue that could be recovered was worth the price. Is financial gain an adequate reason?
In my opinion the German government should not purchase the stolen information. They have a role function and should give out a good example that stealing is not appropriate. This especially because in this situation it is not a matter of life and death but about financial gain. It even can be seen as an encouragement from the German Government if they do buy the data. An encouragement to steal sensitive information, because even if it is illegal a financial reward awaits.
http://nos.nl/artikel/133583-fiscus-benieuwd-naar-gestolen-cd.html
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You should also take in consideration that if the German government does not buy this stolen data at this point, the entire German population knows how to evade taxes. The population would also know the government will have a hard time countering that illegal act if they decide not to buy the stolen information. Besides that, the government is acting with a moral motivation, which is to stop the illegal activity of evading taxes, thereby their actions could be justified. In my opinion the government is permitted to break the law in order to fight crime, although the can not break the laws considering human right. For example, they can buy stolen information in order to solve criminal activity, but they cannot torture a person to gain the same information. Else it is hard to catch criminals while you abide the rules and they clearly do not.
459783
Of course the German government has a function to fulfil but does that mean that it has to close it’s eyes when it knows that there are German citizens who are not respecting the German tax law ? Does this mean that the other part of the German citizens have to pay more taxes only because some ‘wealthy’ people are not respecting the law ?
Of course it can be argued that the way of getting the information is illegal but in my opinion it is very amoral from the German government if it does not protect the citizens who are respecting the German tax law. By buying stolen information the Government shows that it is not profitable to hide money from the IRS. In this case it is my opinion that morality counts heavier than the legal aspects.
Because otherwise we can question, why do we make laws ?
I agree with the comments of S459783 and S580132. Sometimes it is necessary to do a morally wrong thing to do the best for society. Of course in this case it is not a life or dead course, but the government makes his point by don’t cheating the law. Moreover when the government let this information pass, the ‘correct’ people will be disadvantaged. Isn’t that morally wrong? Criminals must never be rewarded. It is also important to take into account what the reason for action is. If the government buys the illegal information to solve criminal activities and make a warning to respect the law, in my opinion the government acts morally right. But I disagree when the government just want to make a ordinary financial gain.
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