4 ms·

>some how the answer should be that this is some how 100% okay? Yep. Because governments are instituted among men and derive their just powers from the consent

>some how the answer should be that this is some how 100% okay? Yep. Because governments are instituted among men and derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. There are clear mechanisms for relinquishing certain freedoms (i.e., the freedom to keep all your money) through representative government. If you don't like taxes, get 'em repealed through the way we repeal taxes. If you don't like the way the government collects taxes, we have a way to change that too.

jjn2009 10y ago
In theory that would all be fine but this magical contract that I signed at birth some how which gives the IRS the right to commit violence against me some how doesn't sound as appealing as you make it. When the three wolves vote to eat the sheep, the sheep is also 100% responsible because didn't you know? You signed this thing at birth that agreed to such a possible outcome!
- 2muchcoffeeman 10y ago
  Well you decided to live and work where you do, not the government. You could have, and you still can, move to a different country where the laws are more favourable to your views.
- bobwaycott 10y ago
  This magical contract is the Constitution of the United States. The benefits and responsibilities of citizenship were bestowed upon you at birth. You might want to blame your parents for that. You can, of course, renounce the benefits and obligations of citizenship at any time.
- intopieces 10y ago
  Infants can't sign contracts, and we don't tax infants anyway because they don't meet the income requirements. Your comparison to wolves and sheep is not apt -- the "violence" of taxation is only as punishment for reaping the benefits of previous payers and not abiding by the rules the common voters agreed on. You are under no obligation to reap those benefits -- in fact, society is perfectly happy to give them to you for free (albeit minimally) in the form of welfare, and charities are satisfied with giving you free food and shelter should you find the system of commerce and taxation too burdensome. That you are not afforded the extended benefits gained by common taxation at your pleasure and rate without yourself contributing is not theft in the most basic sense; it's more like an obtuse mischaracterization. It makes an interesting civics thought experiment, but nothing more.

jjn2009 10y ago

In theory that would all be fine but this magical contract that I signed at birth some how which gives the IRS the right to commit violence against me some how doesn't sound as appealing as you make it. When the three wolves vote to eat the sheep, the sheep is also 100% responsible because didn't you know? You signed this thing at birth that agreed to such a possible outcome!

2muchcoffeeman 10y ago
Well you decided to live and work where you do, not the government. You could have, and you still can, move to a different country where the laws are more favourable to your views.
bobwaycott 10y ago
This magical contract is the Constitution of the United States. The benefits and responsibilities of citizenship were bestowed upon you at birth. You might want to blame your parents for that. You can, of course, renounce the benefits and obligations of citizenship at any time.
intopieces 10y ago
Infants can't sign contracts, and we don't tax infants anyway because they don't meet the income requirements. Your comparison to wolves and sheep is not apt -- the "violence" of taxation is only as punishment for reaping the benefits of previous payers and not abiding by the rules the common voters agreed on. You are under no obligation to reap those benefits -- in fact, society is perfectly happy to give them to you for free (albeit minimally) in the form of welfare, and charities are satisfied with giving you free food and shelter should you find the system of commerce and taxation too burdensome. That you are not afforded the extended benefits gained by common taxation at your pleasure and rate without yourself contributing is not theft in the most basic sense; it's more like an obtuse mischaracterization. It makes an interesting civics thought experiment, but nothing more.