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I wouldn't mind if the government was slimmed down to being little more than the IRS, military, and a few regulatory bodies with either the current progressive
by cosmojg 5y ago
I wouldn't mind if the government was slimmed down to being little more than the IRS, military, and a few regulatory bodies with either the current progressive tax system (better yet, that of the 70s) or a land value tax (at least 85%) with all of the proceeds redistributed equally among the population (i.e., UBI). Oh, and Pigovian taxes (e.g., carbon taxes). Lots and lots of Pigovian taxes.
I don't think I needed to drink any koolaid to come upon this political stance, although I may have seen a cat or two.
- HarryHirsch 5y agoThe super-rich don't need public health, public works, education, code enforcement and labour rights, but they do need a functioning military and property rights. And now we know the origin of the "nightwatch state" and why it's pushed so much by certain groups.
- cosmojg 5y agoWe definitely need a bit more than a night-watchman state. I should mention that I believe in the continued existence of public institutions, I just don't believe in their exclusivity. For example, I think the FDA should continue to exist. However, I would prefer it to be possible for pharmaceutical companies to align themselves with regulatory bodies other than the FDA so long as they made public their alignment. Then I, as the consumer, can choose whether I trust the FDA or its private competitor more, and buy my drugs accordingly. Simply put, I want a government which maximizes freedom, flexibility, and opportunity for as many people as possible.