space. And because the worlds they are exploiting are farther and farther away
from the center of the Federation, the governing of these places becomes more
and more difficult, demanding more and more resources to maintain contact,
longer and longer journeys between worlds, with greater and greater cost to haul
the raw materials home to Terra. So they want the member worlds to surrender
everything they have, and be taxed for it as well. The home world, and a few
other planets have become parasites on the rest of the Federation."
"Taxed to send their food to Terra?" Mike knew he was tired, but he was not
sure he had understood his father-in-law.
"Yes."
"But, Lew, that is insane. Why would anyone pay to have their wheat sent
somewhere else?"
"By using the media to convince the po
