5 ms·

> What services do you receive that is worth 1.25 million? A stable state that protects your property rights over the other 1.25 million.

jelliclesfarm 7y ago
Like protection money? Then the Govt is like the mafia?
- BigJono 7y ago
  No? The mafia fucks your shit up if you don't pay. The government protects you from civil unrest, which is instigated by all the other people that aren't millionaires. If the mafia protected you from other people robbing you, then they'd be a legitimate business. It's called a security company.
  - jelliclesfarm 7y ago
    So..it’s still protection money? Robin Hood economy?
  - 9c8675a8 7y ago
    Oh, the mafia fucks my shit up if I don't pay while the govt doesn't do this? You're not making sense. In any case the mafia charges less than government; I think I prefer them. Civil unrest is mostly a bunch of confused idiots who want the govt to tax them more either directly or indirectly.
- munchbunny 7y ago
  Say you have $2.5 million in income for the year. For $1.25 million, the government maintains the system that allows you to spend it as real wealth. It maintains the system that enforces your business and employment contracts. It enforces that when you deposit your money in a bank or buy stocks, you don’t also have to pay for your own gunmen to make sure you can get your money back out. It makes sure that when your house is on fire, the firemen don’t first evaluate your net worth and then extort you in front of your burning house. The mafia comparison severely underestimates just how much useful (wealth creating) infrastructure modern governments provide. All of those things were essential for you to have earned your $2.5 million in the first place without always having to look over your shoulder in case the local warlord notices your money and decides to take it.
  - jelliclesfarm 7y ago
    Right. Warlords in Europe and America? How much is the tax rate in Rwanda?
    - munchbunny 7y ago
      I'm having trouble believing that you actually tried to understand what I wrote.
      - jelliclesfarm 7y ago
        The ‘warlord’ caught my eye and I couldn’t read past it. Sorry.
        xdavidliu 7y ago
        The warlord part was at the very end of their post.
  - 9c8675a8 7y ago
    How about I don't actually need or want any "contracts". I.e. I'm happy with the 1 month risk as e.g. a freelancer and just want the govt to fuck off. Last time I checked the bank holidays and various confiscation schemes "for the greater good" wheren't stopped by any govt; quite the opposite. Fire? Get insurance.

jelliclesfarm 7y ago

Like protection money? Then the Govt is like the mafia?

BigJono 7y ago
No? The mafia fucks your shit up if you don't pay. The government protects you from civil unrest, which is instigated by all the other people that aren't millionaires. If the mafia protected you from other people robbing you, then they'd be a legitimate business. It's called a security company.
- jelliclesfarm 7y ago
  So..it’s still protection money? Robin Hood economy?
- 9c8675a8 7y ago
  Oh, the mafia fucks my shit up if I don't pay while the govt doesn't do this? You're not making sense. In any case the mafia charges less than government; I think I prefer them. Civil unrest is mostly a bunch of confused idiots who want the govt to tax them more either directly or indirectly.
munchbunny 7y ago
Say you have $2.5 million in income for the year. For $1.25 million, the government maintains the system that allows you to spend it as real wealth. It maintains the system that enforces your business and employment contracts. It enforces that when you deposit your money in a bank or buy stocks, you don’t also have to pay for your own gunmen to make sure you can get your money back out. It makes sure that when your house is on fire, the firemen don’t first evaluate your net worth and then extort you in front of your burning house. The mafia comparison severely underestimates just how much useful (wealth creating) infrastructure modern governments provide. All of those things were essential for you to have earned your $2.5 million in the first place without always having to look over your shoulder in case the local warlord notices your money and decides to take it.
- jelliclesfarm 7y ago
  Right. Warlords in Europe and America? How much is the tax rate in Rwanda?
  - munchbunny 7y ago
    I'm having trouble believing that you actually tried to understand what I wrote.
    - jelliclesfarm 7y ago
      The ‘warlord’ caught my eye and I couldn’t read past it. Sorry.
      - xdavidliu 7y ago
        The warlord part was at the very end of their post.
- 9c8675a8 7y ago
  How about I don't actually need or want any "contracts". I.e. I'm happy with the 1 month risk as e.g. a freelancer and just want the govt to fuck off. Last time I checked the bank holidays and various confiscation schemes "for the greater good" wheren't stopped by any govt; quite the opposite. Fire? Get insurance.