3 ms·

Don't ever trust anyone who takes your stuff at the threat of violence.

• DaiPlusPlus 9y ago
  This is the basis for the "taxation is theft" argument. It's very weak and wry. The state exists as the means for ensuring positive societal outcomes, such as providing services that the private competitive market cannot or will not supply (tragedy of the commons, game theory, etc). One such possible service is an identity service - and we already have that through a hodge-podge of things like SSN, driving licenses, passports, etc. A consolidation of these services means greater efficiency, less waste, and therefore lower taxes. I'd respect the libertarian position more if it were framed as "greater utility of government" instead of the dogmatic "less government".
  • dnautics 9y ago
    >The state exists as the means for ensuring positive societal outcomes This is the moral basis for outcomes like, snuffing out a person for selling loose cigarettes. In the end, the privileged get away with infractions that hurt people en masse, and the disposessed get punished for offending the sensibilities of those who get to define "positivity" on behalf of society. I'd respect the state position more if there were well defined metrics for "greater utility" and a stronger non self regulating mechanism for accountability, instead of the dogmatic principle that voting constitutes consent.