“Don’t steal—(the) government hates (the) competition” has been a saying on bumper stickers and T-shirts since about 1984. It is not known who originated the popular saying.
 
U.S. Congressman Ron Paul (a candidate for the presidential nomination of the Republican party in 2008) stated in Congress in February 2008 that he had a “Don’t steal – the government hates competition” sign on his office desk.
   
   
Zazzle.com
Don’t steal…The government hates the competition
T-shirt
Product id: 235296325512390927
Made on 4/27/2007 11:30 AM
 
Zazzle.com
Don’t steal, the government hates competition
bumper sticker
created by Livevoltage (13/02/2009 01:26)
   
Google Books
The Industrial Policy Debate
By Chalmers A. Johnson
San Francisco, CA: ICS Press
1984
Pg. 16:
(I am reminded of a recent Southern California bumper sticker: “Don’t steal! The government doesn’t like competition.”)
 
28 September 1987, Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch, “A lesson in business ethics for U.Va. graduate students” by Ed Crew, pg. B1:
His office signs are guaranteed to get a reaction: “Don’t steal—the government hates competition” and “Legalize. freedom.”
 
7 July 1989, Orlando (FL) Sentinel, pg. F1:
Bumper sticker on a red Nissan Sentra on Wickham Road near Turtle Mound, Melbourne: “Don’t Steal - the government hates competition.”
 
3 December 1989, Orlando (FL) Sentinel, “These stories won’t be anywhere else” by Allen Rose, Brevard Extra, pg. E1:
Don’t steal. The government hates the competition.
 
29 July 1990, Dallas (TX) Morning News, “Collin County town of Lavon considers its first property tax” by Dan R. Barber:
That day, Mr. Rollins wore his political philosophy on his gimme cap—a slogan that said, “Don’t steal: The government hates the competition.”
   
20 May 1991, St. Petersburg (FL) Times, “A bumper crop of words to live by” by Mike Harden, Floridian section, pg. 3D:
“Don’t steal. The government hates competition.”
     
LewRockwell.com
Let’s Legalize Competing Currencies
by Ron Paul
Before the US House of Representatives, February 13, 2008
(...)
On the desk in my office I have a sign that says: “Don’t steal – the government hates competition.”