Why Civil Forfeiture Is So Dangerous

The Praetorian Class has traditionally been controlled in Western Civilization by means of the purse strings. A few centuries ago, the Praetorian Class (also known as the hereditary aristocracy) was in charge and was reined in by the need to appeal to Parliament for funds. The danger of civil forfeiture is that is provides a potential source of funds independent of politics. (If you need an example of the dangers of independent funding sources, please note that the English monarchy was at its most absolute following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when King Henry VIII hijacked church property.)

In related news, I disagree with the claim that a Praetorian Class is something rare. It is distressingly common.