Why Shoplifting Is Wrong

Shoplifting is an unfair way to try to cheat the system. It involves taking advantage of other hardworking people in many different ways; the stores have to buy equipment to try to prevent shoplifting, while other consumers must pay for items for the system to work. I shoplifted because I thought that I could be the exception, if everyone followed the rules but me, nothing would be wrong. However, this is an extremely selfish and unreasonable way to think. Shoplifters steal from all types of stores including department stores, specialty shops, supermarkets, drug stores, discounters, music stores, convenience stores, thrift shops, large companies, and small mom and pop shops. Shoplifting can hurt more than just the business from which you are stealing. It causes a tidal wave of other problems that aren't apparent on the surface.
Of course everyone would want to be the exception and not have to pay for items while everyone else does. To keep everything working properly everyone must be a part of the system, if too many people try to escape it, then there would be no system. Stores would not be able to operate. Possibly an extreme example of this would be countries that are corrupt and crime ridden because of too many people refusing to follow the rules and be a part of a society based on laws. Depending on others to do the right thing while I benefit from doing the wrong thing is completely unfair and unreasonable. A metaphor for me shoplifting could be countries like Iraq and Nigeria where there is abundant oil reserves inside their country, but even with that source of income, the country still cannot strive because of corruption of the money coming in to the government. There is so much corruption that even with the oil bringing in so much money, the government is still very dangerous and is not as put together and helpful as other countries such as the United States. This applies to my situation because I am an extremely lucky person to be born into the life