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The US military intervenes in world affairs in the interest of geopolitical stability, which benefits the taxpayers that pay it. But even if that's not the cas

The US military intervenes in world affairs in the interest of geopolitical stability, which benefits the taxpayers that pay it. But even if that's not the case, do you believe that if you are a tax dodger (individual or corporate) that you no longer should be: * Helped by the state department such as being given protection at a consulate on foreign soil if being threatened by a foreign nation? * protected by the military if your life is in danger in international waters? * helped by an emergency room if your health is in danger on home soil? This feels like a position akin to screaming at a police officer trying to give you a ticket that "I'm a tax-paying citizen, you work for ME"

synetic 3y ago
There’s a huge difference between helping out a citizen who has broken the law by dodging taxes and helping out a corporation that purposefully evades U.S. regulations. People rate higher than corporations. At least they should. Note that the State Department does charge people when they are evacuated from a foreign nation.
- SllX 3y ago
  If you live in a world where the entirety of a corporation was paperwork and robots, that’s a very astute point. Unfortunately I live in a world where corporations are made up from the investments and works of people (and paperwork, some robots sometimes), including the people whose bodies were on that boat. Do you want to trade?
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
  - synetic 3y ago
    If the U.S. has the right to intervene when non U.S. flagged vessels owned by a U.S. company are stopped by a foreign government does, say, North Korea have the right to intervene when North Korean owned ships are stopped by the U.S.?
    - SllX 3y ago
      They can try. We can say whatever we want on the land about what folks at sea do, but the truth is on the sea, the bigger gun wins. The US Navy polices the worlds oceans. Not should, nor can, nor might, nor has considered doing so, but does and has done so for decades; and Iran already knew this, as does North Korea, and this does sometimes include intervening when a hostile power attacks non-American flagged vessels.
      - synetic 3y ago
        … but the truth is on the sea, the bigger gun wins. Yes. So why go through the rigmarole of trying to justify the actions when it comes down to we do it because we can and our leaders think it’s in our interests.
        SllX 3y ago
        Because despite the truth in the moment, as a republic we as people still need to believe that our actions are justified to continue our policies, and you don’t have to be lied to believe it, even if you personally end up on the side that it isn’t justified. We still want the approval of foreign nations, even if we’re comfortable with a less than 100% approval rating. Our interests do include human life, even if they’re sailing under a foreign flag on a civilian ship. We would prefer civilian ships and not have to arm themselves to the teeth ready for an adventurous voyage to get across the water without being harassed by hostile actors. In other words, policing actions are a deterrent to greater hostilities.
khuey 3y ago
It does seem logical that if you sail under the flag of the Bahamas perhaps you should be calling the Bahamian Navy to rescue you from these glorified pirates.
- kube-system 3y ago
  Yes, but the US doesn't patrol international waters to protect the people or ships that pass through it. They do it to protect their own economy back home. The fact that someone flying the Bahamian flag just happened to be helped was a side effect.
masfuerte 3y ago
A better analogy: you've foresworn your American citizenship and emigrated to a different country. Now there's a problem you still expect American law enforcement to sort it out.

synetic 3y ago

There’s a huge difference between helping out a citizen who has broken the law by dodging taxes and helping out a corporation that purposefully evades U.S. regulations. People rate higher than corporations. At least they should. Note that the State Department does charge people when they are evacuated from a foreign nation.

SllX 3y ago
If you live in a world where the entirety of a corporation was paperwork and robots, that’s a very astute point. Unfortunately I live in a world where corporations are made up from the investments and works of people (and paperwork, some robots sometimes), including the people whose bodies were on that boat. Do you want to trade?
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- synetic 3y ago
  If the U.S. has the right to intervene when non U.S. flagged vessels owned by a U.S. company are stopped by a foreign government does, say, North Korea have the right to intervene when North Korean owned ships are stopped by the U.S.?
  - SllX 3y ago
    They can try. We can say whatever we want on the land about what folks at sea do, but the truth is on the sea, the bigger gun wins. The US Navy polices the worlds oceans. Not should, nor can, nor might, nor has considered doing so, but does and has done so for decades; and Iran already knew this, as does North Korea, and this does sometimes include intervening when a hostile power attacks non-American flagged vessels.
    - synetic 3y ago
      … but the truth is on the sea, the bigger gun wins. Yes. So why go through the rigmarole of trying to justify the actions when it comes down to we do it because we can and our leaders think it’s in our interests.
      - SllX 3y ago
        Because despite the truth in the moment, as a republic we as people still need to believe that our actions are justified to continue our policies, and you don’t have to be lied to believe it, even if you personally end up on the side that it isn’t justified. We still want the approval of foreign nations, even if we’re comfortable with a less than 100% approval rating. Our interests do include human life, even if they’re sailing under a foreign flag on a civilian ship. We would prefer civilian ships and not have to arm themselves to the teeth ready for an adventurous voyage to get across the water without being harassed by hostile actors. In other words, policing actions are a deterrent to greater hostilities.

khuey 3y ago

It does seem logical that if you sail under the flag of the Bahamas perhaps you should be calling the Bahamian Navy to rescue you from these glorified pirates.

kube-system 3y ago
Yes, but the US doesn't patrol international waters to protect the people or ships that pass through it. They do it to protect their own economy back home. The fact that someone flying the Bahamian flag just happened to be helped was a side effect.

masfuerte 3y ago

A better analogy: you've foresworn your American citizenship and emigrated to a different country. Now there's a problem you still expect American law enforcement to sort it out.