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"Once I've been a citizen long enough (i.e. paid enough taxes) I get to invoke my free year, which is a year where the government pays me enough to cover my bil

by JPKab 7y ago

"Once I've been a citizen long enough (i.e. paid enough taxes) I get to invoke my free year, which is a year where the government pays me enough to cover my bills and maybe a bit extra for projects and stuff." I really wish people would stop saying "the government" in these scenarios. It's the taxpayers. Actual humans whose money is taken by force. Not saying it's a bad idea, just saying that we need to be thinking a lot more responsibly about the fact that this is money being taken from people who themselves would rather spend it on their own needs/dreams/business ideas etc.

nitrogen 7y ago
The money is taken regardless, whether through higher prices on goods sold, higher interest rates on money borrowed, lower returns on investments, or higher taxes. The question is what will do the most good for the most people at the highest efficiency.
- hammock 7y ago
  Is that the question? Is that written somewhere? Or is the question, what will lead me (elected representative) to achieve my personal ambitions of, for example, being re-elected or landing a high paying job in the private sector?
8note 7y ago
is it really the tax payers? and is it really being taken by force? the government also gets funding by taking on debt, or can print more currency; not everything comes from a tax payer. you're not exactly forced to be taxed either. it's an agreement in exchange for citizenship. if you don't want to be taxed, go make and spend your money somewhere that doesn't have taxes
- benjohnson 7y ago
  Do you have an unspoken premise that this nation belongs to the government? If so, I would say that this nation belongs to the citizens instead.
  - QualityReboot 7y ago
    Found the libertarian! I kid, but I think most people do have the view that the government really owns everything. In practice, control means ownership, so it's not an unreasonable view.
    - hammock 7y ago
      Who controls government?
wolco 7y ago
Not all money that government generates comes from tax payers. From selling stamps, casino taxes, parking/speeding tickets, lotteries (where out of state purchases are allowed) to charging fees for applications or rent/selling land or charging fees to camp in parks. I don't have to be a taxpayer for the government to make money from me. Thinking the govermment is the taxpayer is wrong. The government must represent all citizens very young and old and many are not taxpayers.

by JPKab 7y ago

nitrogen 7y ago

The money is taken regardless, whether through higher prices on goods sold, higher interest rates on money borrowed, lower returns on investments, or higher taxes. The question is what will do the most good for the most people at the highest efficiency.

hammock 7y ago
Is that the question? Is that written somewhere? Or is the question, what will lead me (elected representative) to achieve my personal ambitions of, for example, being re-elected or landing a high paying job in the private sector?

8note 7y ago

is it really the tax payers? and is it really being taken by force? the government also gets funding by taking on debt, or can print more currency; not everything comes from a tax payer. you're not exactly forced to be taxed either. it's an agreement in exchange for citizenship. if you don't want to be taxed, go make and spend your money somewhere that doesn't have taxes

benjohnson 7y ago
Do you have an unspoken premise that this nation belongs to the government? If so, I would say that this nation belongs to the citizens instead.
- QualityReboot 7y ago
  Found the libertarian! I kid, but I think most people do have the view that the government really owns everything. In practice, control means ownership, so it's not an unreasonable view.
  - hammock 7y ago
    Who controls government?

wolco 7y ago

Not all money that government generates comes from tax payers. From selling stamps, casino taxes, parking/speeding tickets, lotteries (where out of state purchases are allowed) to charging fees for applications or rent/selling land or charging fees to camp in parks. I don't have to be a taxpayer for the government to make money from me. Thinking the govermment is the taxpayer is wrong. The government must represent all citizens very young and old and many are not taxpayers.