5 ms·
It’s theft because you get thrown in prison if you don’t pay. It’s little better than the mafia, only we’ve been brainwashed to think it’s okay by being forced
by wincy 7y ago
It’s theft because you get thrown in prison if you don’t pay. It’s little better than the mafia, only we’ve been brainwashed to think it’s okay by being forced to attend public schools. I wouldn’t consider it theft if paying taxes was voluntary. Maybe the fire department and police shouldn’t show up if I don’t pay, maybe I can’t drive anywhere, but they shouldn’t show up and steal my home then imprison me. Prison for unpaid taxes is just modern day debtors prison.
- merpnderp 7y agoIt's not theft because you're free to leave any time. You stay, you agree to the social contract - otherwise you're the one stealing from everyone else.
- fortran77 7y agoWhile I 100% agree that "taxation is not theft" and I realize that they're necessary (and legal!) and I pay them....we're not really "free to leave at any time". For one thing, the United States has a 30% expatriation tax. They will take 30% of your wealth just for leaving.
- JetSpiegel 7y agoSo leaving has a price, it's still not theft.
- fortran77 7y agoIt means you're not "free" to go.
- shadowgovt 7y agoYou're free to go. Your stuff (which was partially acquired via exploitation of the ecosystem that is the country that wants those taxes... Bet you drove on a public road) isn't.
- JetSpiegel 7y agoNot free as a beer, free as in freedom. Modulo dictatorships.
- dependenttypes 7y agoYou are also free to leave the neighbour if you don't want to pay the mafia for "protection". It's not theft, right?
- seszett 7y ago> Maybe the fire department and police shouldn’t show up if I don’t pay That would be a hazard for your neighbours though. Like it or not, living in a society also means you have duties towards your fellow citizens.
- rootw0rm 7y agovolunteer fire departments who only put out house fires for people who pay is actually a thing. voluntaryism is quite doable on the local level.
- kube-system 7y agoI would call that commercial fire services. “Volunteer” fire departments usually refer to a different arrangement.
- throwaway66920 7y agoWell if you abandon the right to all government services, then someone else will be stealing your home instead so, idk, pick your poison.