Welfare programs that help the poor are based on sin, according to South Carolina state Sen. Lee Bright (R-Spartanburg).

Bright, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in the Republican primary, was speaking at an event hosted by the Summerville 912 Group in December when he was asked about his view on the tax code. He said that he supported a flat tax.

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“The tax code is where they control us,” Bright added. “I mean, you can point it all back to the income tax for much of our problems. It plays on coveting, you know what I mean? It is all sin. I want what my brother has, so why don’t I and my other brother get together and we’ll vote away what my brother has. I mean, it is legalized plunder, it is theft. That’s what it is.”

“And this entitlement to other people’s property because you want their stuff is just wrong,” he continued. “And I think most of our problems in our country are spiritual problems, but there again it is about liberty. And liberty is just the right to keep what is yours. And when you raise taxes and put that burden on people you take away their freedom. And what they do is that is how they control us, with that tax code. I mean, it is obscene. And I’m getting beat up on this and I actually made [Chris Matthews’ show]. I made his show last Friday.”

Bright made headlines in December after Right Wing Watch reported that he advocated for the elimination of welfare programs. He said that churches rather than the government should provide care for the disabled.

“I would modify [my comment] and say churches and nonprofits,” Bright said. “You know, I don’t think it has to be a church. It can be anybody that wants to donate to the poor. But it should be out of the kindness of our hearts, because the difference between charity and tyranny is charity is when you help the poor, tyranny is when the government comes by force and takes from you and gives to your brother.”

Watch video, uploaded to YouTube by Dennis Wenger, below.