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the two positions aren't even a little contradictory. people pay taxes BOTH because they want to comply with the law (avoid prosecution) and because they value
by metaphorm 10y ago
the two positions aren't even a little contradictory. people pay taxes BOTH because they want to comply with the law (avoid prosecution) and because they value public services (some of them anyway).
similarly, there is nuance in each position. self-preservation motivates avoidance of prosecution, but it doesn't prevent individuals and companies from seeking the most effective legal means to avoid taxes, which sometimes is in a grey area w.r.t law and ethics. as well we should consider that while some public services are considered good and desirable, many of them aren't, and which is good and which is not is a judgment that varies heavily between individuals.
this isn't libertarian-land "taxes are theft" stuff. this is the basic social contract that everyone, libertarians and their opponents, all abide by.