0 sats \ 8 replies \ @kepford OP 12 Mar \ parent \ on: Taxation is theft is too weak. It's much worse than that libertarian
Fair, I was reading into what you are saying. Let me be clear.
I'm not saying taxes do nothing good. They do feed people, they do pay for things that are vital for human life. You didn't say it was the best way. But you seem to reject the idea that there is a better way, IE the abolition of taxes.
I reject this statement.
Taxes are a leech. Taxes come from profits and wealth. These things come from the free market. The state can't make these. We can just agree to disagree but governments are leaches. They are not responsible for feeding the world. Farmers are. The free market is. The default state of man is hungry and naked. When we cooperate and create wealth we can take the time to solve higher level problems like education because we no longer have to focus solely on survival. I reject the idea that we would be worse off without the state. Now, I'm not saying that we should not have any governance or organization. I'm saying it should be voluntary. I'm saying top down control with the threat of violence will never be better than freedom. You can see this in nations that have more centralized control. They have less flourishing. Those with more freedom do better. I think we are very close to being on the same page. I think this because I used to make the arguments you are making in my head.
One other thing, I don't think taxes or the state can be blamed for all the ills of modern society. Much of it is likely due to the breakdown of community. With the rejection of faith communities people do not have the tight bonds they once had.
The government take, take, take from the people. They steal money from people and employ thugs (police) to enforce this and create a whole system designed purely to extract all these different "taxes" (inc' fees, fines, registration, regulation fees). I think one of the many reasons we put up with this is because us citizens are the ones who do these jobs. It's insane when you think about it.
If the guvt ever "give" us anything it has an ulterior motive. Farmer's subsidies, "free education" and the like is all designed to control people. Look at what's happening all over the world with the farmer's protests. If they had not become so beholden to the government handouts, control and regulation, they could tell the grubberment to feck off.
With regards to education, it is a relatively new concept in the history of the world. I don't buy the literacy level argument. The levels of literacy that many young people are currently leaving schools with in supposedly developed western countries right now is absolutely atrocious. Mental health of children is at an incredible low, self harm is at crisis levels! I have been parenting over 25 years and have seen, first hand, the horrendous outcomes from state schooling. In short, will not stop speaking out about the harm done to kids in the school system.
reply
This is viewing the world from a western lens. Which develops this tax is theft bias.
Life is good you have options so it’s easy to have this view. Now let’s drop you in failed state that has no tax base and see if you have the same views.
And if you are an American citizen you can pay your exit tax denounce your citizenship and go find your no tax no government dream.
More than likely no one is going to try and live it out because it’s too hard. Instead they want all of of the spoils the state creates but doesn’t want to pay. A classic problem in Economics
reply
My take: TDLR: The system is not broken. It can't be fixed. It is operating exactly as intended. The only way is to: starve the beast, exit and build a new system and counter economy. Maybe I will write more later if/when I find I have more time.
reply
Yep
reply
You are comparing a prosperous nation with a greedy state to a poor nation with a greedy state. Nations don't build wealth from taxes. Wealth allows them to tax at higher rates. What we are seeing in the west is the state killing the goose that laid the golden egg. This is why I use the phrase leeches. That's what is happening. I reject the idea that taxes create prosperity. Stability yes. Stability and rule of law create a basis for businesses to prosper but we are seeing experiments now with private governance and we have examples of from the past. I think people talk past each other on this topic.
reply
But it’s the classic chicken or egg problem. Rule of law and enforcement of private property is very important for prosperity. Why communism will never work. You don’t own anything thus you strip people of purpose. I agree with you the people create the wealth and taxes are a drain but free market has brought solutions to the market for law enforcement.
reply
The reason I reject this unfettered freedom is fantastic is because humans had that from the dawn of time. Western society and taxes are new on the time scale of things.
The way taxes are administered now I agree it punishes productive people. Why work more when 60% of your next dollar will go to the tax man.
But unlimited freedom is not the answer as well plus people lie when left up to the free market. Look at the iridium girls and all the measures that were taken to protect a deadly product.
reply