16 ms·

The question remains, why would anyone choose to use a system like this? Wealthy individuals and companies (aka those with most of the money) have a vested int

The question remains, why would anyone choose to use a system like this? Wealthy individuals and companies (aka those with most of the money) have a vested interest in having their transactions not easily tracked by the government.

alkonaut 11y ago
That is already true, and with the means of transfers available (cash, gold, banking system, etc...) public institutions still give the public some confidence in that they manage to tax everyone, and pursue those who evade. If a currency system was available that made taxation appear entirely optional to the public the trust in the tax system would erode in a hurry (Why should I pay when my neighbor or Acme inc. isn't paying?). Tax morale is alreay too low in many countries. Making more loopholes available would just not be good.
pzone 11y ago
Simple: this aims for regulatory support. If Taler (or a system like Taler) is embraced by governments, and is therefore given the full support of the financial system, Bitcoin could be permanently relegated to black-market-only use.
- keyboardwarrior 11y ago
  Why would we want bitcoin to be relegated to a black market only use? Bitcoin is more valid money then paper currency. we can directly verify the creation of the transaction.
hackuser 11y ago
> Wealthy individuals and companies (aka those with most of the money) have a vested interest in having their transactions not easily tracked by the government. Many may think or assert that, especially based on the trendy anti-government dogma, but I disagree. They have a vested interest in a fair and enforced taxation system. Otherwise they lose effective government and its services, both of which are absolutely essential to their safety and prosperity.
- icebraining 11y ago
  I don't see why is "fair" required; tax money works just as well if the system is unfair.
dchest 11y ago
Probably the goal is that you're coerced to use it, as with every other government service.
- Nursie 11y ago
  You're not coerced into using many government services. You may be taxed to pay for them, but you don't have to use them all.
  - jakeogh 11y ago
    Great. Where do I click to opt out of the IRS personal data storage system?
    - Nursie 11y ago
      http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/immigration-and-visas/migration-to-australia http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/immigra...
      - jakeogh 11y ago
        A more authortarian gov as a solution to non-optional 'services'?
        Nursie 11y ago
        No, I was suggesting that if you don;t like the country you're in right now you can choose another. The IRS, or their equivalent, are the price of entry into whatever society you wish to be part of (or whichever will take you. It's like a social club, if you don't want to pay your dues you don't get to use the facilities.
        jakeogh 11y ago
        It's a standard cop-out. "'Merica; leave if you don't like it". Imagine if activists in the 60's had taken that advice. You realize the IRS != US? We got along financially just fine (some would say better) before it.
pc2g4d 11y ago
Because systems that do not provide such transparency will eventually be made illegal?

alkonaut 11y ago

That is already true, and with the means of transfers available (cash, gold, banking system, etc...) public institutions still give the public some confidence in that they manage to tax everyone, and pursue those who evade. If a currency system was available that made taxation appear entirely optional to the public the trust in the tax system would erode in a hurry (Why should I pay when my neighbor or Acme inc. isn't paying?). Tax morale is alreay too low in many countries. Making more loopholes available would just not be good.

pzone 11y ago

Simple: this aims for regulatory support. If Taler (or a system like Taler) is embraced by governments, and is therefore given the full support of the financial system, Bitcoin could be permanently relegated to black-market-only use.

keyboardwarrior 11y ago
Why would we want bitcoin to be relegated to a black market only use? Bitcoin is more valid money then paper currency. we can directly verify the creation of the transaction.

hackuser 11y ago

> Wealthy individuals and companies (aka those with most of the money) have a vested interest in having their transactions not easily tracked by the government. Many may think or assert that, especially based on the trendy anti-government dogma, but I disagree. They have a vested interest in a fair and enforced taxation system. Otherwise they lose effective government and its services, both of which are absolutely essential to their safety and prosperity.

icebraining 11y ago
I don't see why is "fair" required; tax money works just as well if the system is unfair.

dchest 11y ago

Probably the goal is that you're coerced to use it, as with every other government service.

Nursie 11y ago
You're not coerced into using many government services. You may be taxed to pay for them, but you don't have to use them all.
- jakeogh 11y ago
  Great. Where do I click to opt out of the IRS personal data storage system?
  - Nursie 11y ago
    http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/immigration-and-visas/migration-to-australia http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/immigra...
    - jakeogh 11y ago
      A more authortarian gov as a solution to non-optional 'services'?
      - Nursie 11y ago
        No, I was suggesting that if you don;t like the country you're in right now you can choose another. The IRS, or their equivalent, are the price of entry into whatever society you wish to be part of (or whichever will take you. It's like a social club, if you don't want to pay your dues you don't get to use the facilities.
        jakeogh 11y ago
        It's a standard cop-out. "'Merica; leave if you don't like it". Imagine if activists in the 60's had taken that advice. You realize the IRS != US? We got along financially just fine (some would say better) before it.

pc2g4d 11y ago

Because systems that do not provide such transparency will eventually be made illegal?