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"tax the robots" represents a fundamental shift in the administration of private property that we have so far been unable to make without untenable corruption.

"tax the robots" represents a fundamental shift in the administration of private property that we have so far been unable to make without untenable corruption. > it's our responsibility to make sure everyone has some bare minimum standard of living because life is a lottery Where do you derive this responsibility from? I personally don't agree with imposing responsibilities on anyone without their explicit consent. It's indistinguishable from slavery. Also who gets do define this "bare minimum"? Why must it include private quarters, private toilets, private kitchens, air conditioning, television, internet, and all sorts of other modern amenities without which people have contentedly lived for milenia? Edit: Also how would you address labour shortages in agriculture, construction, service, and many other fields?

arcticbull 5y ago
I’ve never believed taxation is slavery, it’s simply social contact from which we all benefit. We all benefit from the army, the fire dept and the police so we all chip in. This is why we have democratic elections. Plurality rule is an effective compromise.
- thegrimmest 5y ago
  How else would you describe a system where people are compelled to contribute or be punished? "A social contract from which we all benefit" was a line frequently used by slaveholders. A master elected by the majority is still your master. He can compel your participation. Free people have no masters. Clearly some degree of slavery is necessary to support the peaceful coexistence fundamental to society. Namely the army, police, courts, and the commons. Beyond that, no society which purports to value liberty will mandate cooperation. The government, with its supreme power to enslave, should be restricted in scope to the administration of the peace, not ever-expanding into every aspect of our lives.

arcticbull 5y ago

I’ve never believed taxation is slavery, it’s simply social contact from which we all benefit. We all benefit from the army, the fire dept and the police so we all chip in. This is why we have democratic elections. Plurality rule is an effective compromise.

thegrimmest 5y ago
How else would you describe a system where people are compelled to contribute or be punished? "A social contract from which we all benefit" was a line frequently used by slaveholders. A master elected by the majority is still your master. He can compel your participation. Free people have no masters. Clearly some degree of slavery is necessary to support the peaceful coexistence fundamental to society. Namely the army, police, courts, and the commons. Beyond that, no society which purports to value liberty will mandate cooperation. The government, with its supreme power to enslave, should be restricted in scope to the administration of the peace, not ever-expanding into every aspect of our lives.