From: Arlo J. Bensinger (ajb102@psu.edu)
Date: Mon Jul 18 2005 - 00:25:40 BST
Hi Platt,
> Platt:
> >From Merriam-Webster: 1. the act of wrongfully entering upon, seizing, or
taking possession of the property of another
Interesting. I checked Merriam Webster Online, and the definition for "tax"
(noun) was: "1 a : a charge usually of money imposed by authority on persons or
property for public purposes b : a sum levied on members of an organization to
defray expenses". Then I checked dictionary.com and found this: "1. A
contribution for the support of a government required of persons, groups, or
businesses within the domain of that government." (These are just the top
definitions).
MW uses the words "imposed by authority", Dictionary.com uses "contribution for
the support". Seems like political bias also effects dictionary authors.
Platt:
> My point was not that taxes were unnecessary, but that they're not
> voluntary. If you refuse to pay them, the government can legally come in
> with guns drawn, seize your property, fine you, and/or throw you in jail.
Ah, but you wax towards the idea of "evil-involuntary" rather than
"good-involuntary". At least it comes across to me this way. If I, as a member
of my local gym, stop paying my dues, I face possible legal action or
expulsion. I am certainly not allowed to continue using the services.
So, in this case, my dues could also be seen as "involuntary". The trouble with
the larger case of a national tax is you join by being born into it. Now, since
you are also by being born here using the services. So this is not a
problematic thing for me. Indeed, I always find it ingrateful when people rail
against "taxes", but then take their kids hiking in state parks, or drive their
motorcycles cross-country on public roads, or make use of EMT services should
something bad happen.
Platt:
> This is the naked truth about naked force that lies behind all
> governmental laws and regulations, for good or ill. Too many times
> throughout history, governments have wrecked havoc on their societies in
> the name of doing good. I need not recount the sorry record.
Consider the havoc wreaked on the majority of the nation's citizens before
government levied labor laws and workplace regulations. Its not only government
that can do bad when telling everyone it is doing good.
Our government, the way I see it, is a moderating force. It protects us from
abuse from other individuals and from power structures that would seek to
enslave. Sadly, I would agree, and this is why MSH started the thread, it is
not doing so. It is, in fact, "in bed" with these coercive power structures.
Platt:
> But, if you asking if I occasionally visit state parks, often use roads
> and always thank God for the people who risk their lives to protect us
> from biological crime as do the police and military personnel, I do. :-)
>
> As for society "collapsing" if there weren't taxes to pay for museums,
> libraries and public transportation, I doubt it.
Well, some social arrangement would likely continue. But not one with the
freedoms we currently enjoy. I'd venture to guess it'd be one where only the
wealthy had access to information (no public libraries), and (quite sadly)
access to art (even if there were still "public displays" of private
collections, I bet they'd be cost prohibitive so that those without the capital
would never get to see them), and without public transportation the ability for
the poor to work would be even more curtailed. But then, we blame them anyways,
right? In short, we'd see a "society" with even more wealth-class
stratification than now. Unless that's your agenda... ;-)
But I'm curious, and this is just a rephrasing of what MSH has been asking, what
tax-based services do you feel are in-line with the MOQ, and which are not? Let
me ask specifically about the ones afforementioned:
Public roads? State parks? Libraries? Public transportation? Museums? Public
legal representation? EMT services?
Are there any services that are NOT provided by taxes that you feel should be?
Or that should be expanded? (I've suggested more funding for libraries and
museums, for example).
Arlo
PS: I wrote a piece back on the music/motivation piece. But it did not come
'round yet. I'll resend it tonight if I still don't see it.
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