I learned about Miles' Law by reading one of the articles in a series of humorous articles written by a professor at Northwestern University in the Operations Research literature.
Rufus E. Miles was a career employee of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW).
As a youngster growing up in the Missouri Ozarks, I thought that principles were something that you stand on and were not subject to "Situational Ethics".
In our hierarchical governmental structure, where you stand does depend on where you sit. During an in-depth discussion with a recently departed friend, I realized that it should depend on where you sit.
My guiding principles include making the playing field as level (fair) as possible and then playing to win.
I also like the Judge Learned Hand quote that goes something like "Every citizen is obligated to pay the minimum tax for which they are legally liable." I have a different perspective on that after a few years of experience working with A. Lonn Henrichsen. He believed and still believes that "the system" would be here long after the current problem was solved.
A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
The one thing that is clear. It is not obviously wrong to take Federal Government handouts unless you plan to do something sinful with them.
The Road to Hell is paved with Good Intentions.
Be especially suspicious of people who claim (and believe) they are trying to help you.
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