A good policy takes care of everyone and it abandons no one. Such a policy is strong enough to bind society, yet it leaves no trace, and it does not fracture it.
What does this mean? For whatever benefit one person might derive from a law or program, everyone receives the same benefit or consequence equally. It does not shape human behavior in any way, and it does not sow division among the people.
There is no one harmed in a policy that makes assault or burglary illegal, if such a law applies to everyone equally and always. This is fairly easy and straightforward.
But often, certain groups seek special status, and politicians play into this, hoping to demonstrate their support for a particular subset of society.
A lawmaker might propose to “take care” of healthcare workers. He suggests a new crime that says assault on a nurse carries stiffer penalties than assault on a carpenter. This then abandons the carpenter and makes his life less valuable than that of the nurse.
Here’s another example: Quite commonly, politicians offer to “take care” of senior citizens, first time homebuyers, or veterans by offering special tax incentives and breaks. Politicians want to demonstrate their appreciation for these groups, and doing so seems harmless. Yet this drives up taxes for other groups; the smaller the class of participants in funding government programs, the more pressure on the groups who are excluded to make up for the loss of revenue.
Other groups will then endlessly push for their own special favors, seeking out politicians who will support them and punishing the ones that do not. It further cements the idea of politicians as commodities who can create value out of thin air, if only they can amass the votes to do it.
This is why tax codes are so complex. Homeowners receive certain benefits that renters do not. Business owners receive certain benefits that families with children do not. Certain employees pay taxes on their earnings while others do not. Poor parents get benefits that middle income parents do not.
Tax policy is used to manipulate human behavior, benefit some people while disadvantaging others, or win support from a group in order to bolster their chances in an upcoming election.
Similarly, programs for healthcare, education, and business development are written so as to benefit particular elements of a society — people of certain incomes, ages, or industries — forcing others to pay the cost but denying them the benefits.
Notice the many ways in which laws are written to the advantage some people. Notice how policy divides society. These are the policies to avoid.
A good walker leaves no tracks;
A good speaker makes no slips;
A good reckoner needs no tally.
A good door need no lock,
Yet no one can open it.
Good binding requires no knots, Yet no one can loosen it.
Therefore the sage takes care of all men
And abandons no one.
He takes care of all things
And abandons nothing.
This is called "following the light."
What is a good man?
A teacher of a bad man.
What is a bad man?
A good man's charge.
If the teacher is not respected,
And the pupil not cared for,
Confusion will arise, however clever one is.
This is the crux of mystery.Tao Te Ching, Chapter 27, translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English