4 ms·

Obviously you think this is a clever reply, but it isn't. Between this and your parent post, all you're really doing is demonstrating that you have no idea how

by jmcqk6 6y ago

Obviously you think this is a clever reply, but it isn't. Between this and your parent post, all you're really doing is demonstrating that you have no idea how civilization works. Perhaps you have some idea of how you think things ought to work instead, but that's true of basically everyone. Clearly you perceive no value from taxes and deeply resent that you have to pay them in the first place. And hell, you might even do well for yourself out in the wilderness alone, independent from everyone else. But since you're posting here, that is obviously not your current situation. So if you want to be a part of civilization, you need to pay your dues just like everyone else. And if you don't like it, at least you have the possibility of going something about it yourself, if you can convince enough other people that you're right.

feralimal 6y ago
You don't have a choice about being a part of civilisation and whether you pay taxes or not. No choice. But congratulations, you have made yourself feel as if you did and you're happy to go with it. I guess you walk out the door, satisfied at the way your money is spent, the roads, armies, education, etc, etc - just as you would have chosen for yourself!
- jmcqk6 6y ago
  Just because I'm happy to pay taxes doesn't mean that I'm happy with the ways that money is spent. But I can recognize the inherent need for _some_ entity to serve in this function, and I'm glad that I have one that I can participant in. There is literally no citizen in the world that is completely happy with their country. That is part of being human. Because our views are so diverse, it's impossible to form large groups of people without those types of disagreements. I didn't get a choice about being born, either, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to do what I can with what I have instead of pining for a reality that will never exist.
  - feralimal 6y ago
    You participate once every 5 years in voting for one of 2 meaningful options on a list of ~5-15 issues. No one is happy with that choice. Then, say 50% of the populace vote, 25% get the person who they voted for in. So the 25% (who do not feel fully represented) get to rule over the other 75% who know they are not represented. Basically we all pay taxes into a system that no one feels happy about. And when you think about it, it isn't about what's right - it comes down to who has the force. Its a mafioso monetary extraction system, that indoctrinates its victims. 'Stockholm Syndrome' is the psychological term for when you love your captor; most people who support the government system suffer with this. As a group of people our views are diverse. That's good, right? Large groups of people are hard to manage. So don't manage them. I don't seek to manage other people's affairs. Government is the solution to a problem that doesn't exist - managing lots of people. People should be self-managing. PS There's a difference between jumping to the defence of a system that no one is happy with, and finding a way to survive in a system that is collectivising and dehumanising. In supporting the system as you do, you are literally a turkey voting for Christmas. Sorry if that's harsh, but that's really how I see it.
    - jmcqk6 6y ago
      You have an opinion, not a fact. If you think "participation" is only about voting once every 5 years, then you are part of the problem. Although since you say five years instead of 4, perhaps I shouldn't assume you're american. Participation in democracy is about more than voting, especially if you're only voting in a fraction of the elections.
      - feralimal 6y ago
        I have an argument, a hypothesis. I have tested it and I don't find it wanting. You have an opinion. You don't have an argument. 4 or 5 years, I won't quibble. And oh, how else do you participate in democracy, except for voting? Does one stand for election? And for me, if I am settled in my thinking that no one represents me and I don't want a part of the extortion system that is in place, do I have to do whatever some group of people say is right to do because they can force me, even though I am doing no harm to another?

by jmcqk6 6y ago

feralimal 6y ago

You don't have a choice about being a part of civilisation and whether you pay taxes or not. No choice. But congratulations, you have made yourself feel as if you did and you're happy to go with it. I guess you walk out the door, satisfied at the way your money is spent, the roads, armies, education, etc, etc - just as you would have chosen for yourself!

jmcqk6 6y ago
Just because I'm happy to pay taxes doesn't mean that I'm happy with the ways that money is spent. But I can recognize the inherent need for _some_ entity to serve in this function, and I'm glad that I have one that I can participant in. There is literally no citizen in the world that is completely happy with their country. That is part of being human. Because our views are so diverse, it's impossible to form large groups of people without those types of disagreements. I didn't get a choice about being born, either, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to do what I can with what I have instead of pining for a reality that will never exist.
- feralimal 6y ago
  You participate once every 5 years in voting for one of 2 meaningful options on a list of ~5-15 issues. No one is happy with that choice. Then, say 50% of the populace vote, 25% get the person who they voted for in. So the 25% (who do not feel fully represented) get to rule over the other 75% who know they are not represented. Basically we all pay taxes into a system that no one feels happy about. And when you think about it, it isn't about what's right - it comes down to who has the force. Its a mafioso monetary extraction system, that indoctrinates its victims. 'Stockholm Syndrome' is the psychological term for when you love your captor; most people who support the government system suffer with this. As a group of people our views are diverse. That's good, right? Large groups of people are hard to manage. So don't manage them. I don't seek to manage other people's affairs. Government is the solution to a problem that doesn't exist - managing lots of people. People should be self-managing. PS There's a difference between jumping to the defence of a system that no one is happy with, and finding a way to survive in a system that is collectivising and dehumanising. In supporting the system as you do, you are literally a turkey voting for Christmas. Sorry if that's harsh, but that's really how I see it.
  - jmcqk6 6y ago
    You have an opinion, not a fact. If you think "participation" is only about voting once every 5 years, then you are part of the problem. Although since you say five years instead of 4, perhaps I shouldn't assume you're american. Participation in democracy is about more than voting, especially if you're only voting in a fraction of the elections.
    - feralimal 6y ago
      I have an argument, a hypothesis. I have tested it and I don't find it wanting. You have an opinion. You don't have an argument. 4 or 5 years, I won't quibble. And oh, how else do you participate in democracy, except for voting? Does one stand for election? And for me, if I am settled in my thinking that no one represents me and I don't want a part of the extortion system that is in place, do I have to do whatever some group of people say is right to do because they can force me, even though I am doing no harm to another?