3 ms·

By your logic every tax is theft, which is obviously ridiculous.

ekianjo 7y ago
So what is tax if it is not theft? Genuine question to see what is your definition of theft and how taxes do not fit such definition. If you have no say in paying for something, how is it not theft?
- hjanssen 7y ago
  _My_ definition of theft is completely irrelevant. Theft is inherently defined by law and thus by the state. It would be very interesting if anyone can show me any law that defines the collection of taxes as theft - because it'd be stupid.
  - ekianjo 7y ago
    Of course the Law would not define taxation as theft, since it's theft sanctioned by the state.
- DanBC 7y ago
  Theft requires dishonest appropriation. Taxation is legal and lawful, and thus is not dishonest.
- issati 7y ago
  It is a membership fee for being part of a country. Only a few countries tax their citizens if they have no connection to their territories.
  - ekianjo 7y ago
    You never choose to be a "member" of your country. It is imposed upon you.
- rakoo 7y ago
  You do have a saying. Speak to your representative if you want to adjust the percentage. Taxation is a commonly agreed sharing of goods. Theft is not agreed upon. If you live with your significant other and you agreed on a 50/50 rule for paying rent, would you say they/this relationship is stealing money from you ? That doesn't make any sense. If you don't want to be taxed then don't live in the society and don't use any of the things it provide: no roads, no healthcare, no police (so if someone actually steals from you you're not entitled to complain because you're not part of the society), no food or water coming from a store... If you don't want to participate to the society, then you don't participate to the society.
  - ekianjo 7y ago
    > You do have a saying Typically no, since you are tribute to: - your government being able to manage its funds well. Well too bad, they do a piss poor job at it and keep increasing taxes year after year. - the majority during elections not voting for more government intervention, which would lead to more taxes as well. Plus, your example with your significant other does not make sense since you do have a contract/agreement. As a citizen no such agreement/contract is ever signed with you: the conditions are imposed and force is used upon you if you refuse to pay taxes. > If you don't want to participate to the society, then you don't participate to the society. That still does not make taxation not theft, since you are never asked how much you want to contribute voluntarily for example: you never enter a contract as a willing party. Plus, let's say you don't want to "participate in society", the state will still find you and jail you for not paying taxes even if you decide to live on your own.

So what is tax if it is not theft? Genuine question to see what is your definition of theft and how taxes do not fit such definition. If you have no say in paying for something, how is it not theft?

hjanssen 7y ago
_My_ definition of theft is completely irrelevant. Theft is inherently defined by law and thus by the state. It would be very interesting if anyone can show me any law that defines the collection of taxes as theft - because it'd be stupid.
- ekianjo 7y ago
  Of course the Law would not define taxation as theft, since it's theft sanctioned by the state.
DanBC 7y ago
Theft requires dishonest appropriation. Taxation is legal and lawful, and thus is not dishonest.
issati 7y ago
It is a membership fee for being part of a country. Only a few countries tax their citizens if they have no connection to their territories.
- ekianjo 7y ago
  You never choose to be a "member" of your country. It is imposed upon you.
rakoo 7y ago
You do have a saying. Speak to your representative if you want to adjust the percentage. Taxation is a commonly agreed sharing of goods. Theft is not agreed upon. If you live with your significant other and you agreed on a 50/50 rule for paying rent, would you say they/this relationship is stealing money from you ? That doesn't make any sense. If you don't want to be taxed then don't live in the society and don't use any of the things it provide: no roads, no healthcare, no police (so if someone actually steals from you you're not entitled to complain because you're not part of the society), no food or water coming from a store... If you don't want to participate to the society, then you don't participate to the society.
- ekianjo 7y ago
  > You do have a saying Typically no, since you are tribute to: - your government being able to manage its funds well. Well too bad, they do a piss poor job at it and keep increasing taxes year after year. - the majority during elections not voting for more government intervention, which would lead to more taxes as well. Plus, your example with your significant other does not make sense since you do have a contract/agreement. As a citizen no such agreement/contract is ever signed with you: the conditions are imposed and force is used upon you if you refuse to pay taxes. > If you don't want to participate to the society, then you don't participate to the society. That still does not make taxation not theft, since you are never asked how much you want to contribute voluntarily for example: you never enter a contract as a willing party. Plus, let's say you don't want to "participate in society", the state will still find you and jail you for not paying taxes even if you decide to live on your own.