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If you would like to make that exchange in person, using a currency of your choosing, then I don't see a problem with your argument. However if you want to use

If you would like to make that exchange in person, using a currency of your choosing, then I don't see a problem with your argument. However if you want to use the Internet, which was subsidized by and developed using research by U.S. and E.U. governments then my counter argument would be that you need to pay the toll of the IRS or whatever other government you reside within. If you want to start your own nation somewhere and build your own inter-continental communication network then by all means feel free to fund that effort by whatever you deem necessary to achieve that end. Taxes are needed, however begrudgingly, to fund a government which maintains a civilized and peaceful exchange of commerce. There are no examples I'm aware of where a lawless no-mans-land has resulted in anything more than a region dominated by warlords.

millzlane 9y ago
Serfdom. Be thankful for what the system has provided you by giving us the fruits of your labor.
- Dangeranger 9y ago
  Selfishness. To exploit the fruits of a system without providing a means to maintain said system.
- matt4077 9y ago
  It's not (just) "the fruits of your labor". You are a member of a society, which has invested in your schooling, the infrastructure you use, the police and the military to keep you safe, etc... If you want to opt out, there are a few deserts left with weak enforcement of the rule of law. Good luck.
- CabSauce 9y ago
  This is such a tired argument. Do you really want a pay-as-you-go system for the internet or roads or any other public good? I sure don't.
  - sempron64 9y ago
    Highways have tolls and mobile phone plans have data caps. Unless that was your point, then whoosh I guess. There are lots of public goods that are much more heavily subsidized; gas, electric, water, law enforcement, fire, military...
  - tlrobinson 9y ago
    The internet is almost entirely run by the private sector...
- dsacco 9y ago
  That's rather lazy. I don't think you know what the word "serfdom" means if you're using it to describe a modern country such as the United States. If you want to take your labor off the farm, so to speak, then go ahead. But you're going to have a very difficult time enjoying as much fruit from your labor your only currency is your own time, with no common economic structure.
amyjess 9y ago
> If you would like to make that exchange in person, using a currency of your choosing, then I don't see a problem with your argument. > However if you want to use the Internet, which was subsidized by and developed using research by U.S. and E.U. governments then my counter argument would be that you need to pay the toll of the IRS or whatever other government you reside within. For this matter, how will you travel to meet the other person? Will you take a taxpayer-funded road? Will you take a plane monitored by taxpayer-funded air traffic controllers? And how do you know the other person won't just shoot you and take your currency? Maybe it's because they're worried that the taxpayer-funded police and public prosecutors will go after them if they do that.

millzlane 9y ago

Serfdom. Be thankful for what the system has provided you by giving us the fruits of your labor.

Dangeranger 9y ago
Selfishness. To exploit the fruits of a system without providing a means to maintain said system.
matt4077 9y ago
It's not (just) "the fruits of your labor". You are a member of a society, which has invested in your schooling, the infrastructure you use, the police and the military to keep you safe, etc... If you want to opt out, there are a few deserts left with weak enforcement of the rule of law. Good luck.
CabSauce 9y ago
This is such a tired argument. Do you really want a pay-as-you-go system for the internet or roads or any other public good? I sure don't.
- sempron64 9y ago
  Highways have tolls and mobile phone plans have data caps. Unless that was your point, then whoosh I guess. There are lots of public goods that are much more heavily subsidized; gas, electric, water, law enforcement, fire, military...
- tlrobinson 9y ago
  The internet is almost entirely run by the private sector...
dsacco 9y ago
That's rather lazy. I don't think you know what the word "serfdom" means if you're using it to describe a modern country such as the United States. If you want to take your labor off the farm, so to speak, then go ahead. But you're going to have a very difficult time enjoying as much fruit from your labor your only currency is your own time, with no common economic structure.

amyjess 9y ago

> If you would like to make that exchange in person, using a currency of your choosing, then I don't see a problem with your argument. > However if you want to use the Internet, which was subsidized by and developed using research by U.S. and E.U. governments then my counter argument would be that you need to pay the toll of the IRS or whatever other government you reside within. For this matter, how will you travel to meet the other person? Will you take a taxpayer-funded road? Will you take a plane monitored by taxpayer-funded air traffic controllers? And how do you know the other person won't just shoot you and take your currency? Maybe it's because they're worried that the taxpayer-funded police and public prosecutors will go after them if they do that.