Big government can be thought of as a toll collector. Through regulation, taxes, or outright government ownership, politicians limit the ability of individuals and businesses to do the stuff they want to do. To get free from these government-imposed restrictions, businesses and individuals typically have to pay tribute to the politicians.

Throughout history and across the world, governments have functioned as shakedown artists. President Donald Trump is more blatant than any recent U.S. president in this regard, and closer to a third-world strongman than to the American norm.