The state of Washington is charging a guy back-taxes and interest because he bought cigarettes online and didn't pay any tax on them (via Obscure Store).  There's a cute little statement in the article that's casually passed off as fact:  "Contraband cigarettes cost the state an estimated $200 million a year in lost revenue."  Ooh, wow, that's a lot of money.  It's a terrible shame the state is losing money, and especially because of those wretched smokers. 

But if you stop and think about it for a second, that statement is total BS.  Buying cigarettes online isn't "costing" the state any money at all.  They're not "losing revenue".  They're simply not getting what they think they deserve.  The big bad government thinks they're owed money when citizens exchange money for goods.  It's not like they're losing money every time a purchase is made.  That's ridiculous logic, and it really gets me mad.  It gets me one step closer to becoming a libertarian.  And one step closer to moving to my own island.