4 ms·

"Bitcoin is interfering with the ability of the government to stop consensual transactions between adults." UH OH

by readme 14y ago

sliverstorm 14y ago
I wonder how anyone can think that is the case. Can the government stop me from buying something with USD? Not a chance.
- coldtea 14y ago
  >Can the government stop me from buying something with USD? Not a chance. What? Of course they can. They can get a warrant and bust into your house and put you in jail if they have basis to believe you have bought something they think you shouldn't have (drugs, child porn, slaves, and tons of other things).
  - sliverstorm 14y ago
    Sure, they can penalize me after, but they can't actually stop me from buying something I shouldn't have. Precisely the same with bitcoin.
    - tantalor 14y ago
      You're implying that there are always back channels? What if they could effectively limit the supply of something? Can you buy a live sample of measles?
      - sliverstorm 14y ago
        You're getting way off track here. The assertion was that the government is afraid that it can't stop you from spending bitcoins, the implication being that it can with cash. Bitcoin vs. USD doesn't solve your ability to purchase weaponized measles.
        tantalor 14y ago
        Generally I agree with you, but in some cases a government does interfere to limit, inhibit, discourage, or prevent purchasing to varying degrees. They make it very hard. Controlled substances for example. They can even do it automatedly, such as freezing the ability to withdraw or deposit funds electronically.
        sliverstorm 14y ago
        Even in those cases, they don't control your dollars, they control the companies that you have asked to hold your money.
        coldtea 14y ago
        Sure, but also notice how they never (in history) tried to control your dollars in such a manner. If they had set their mind to do just that, I bet they would succeed. For one: forbid all cash, arrest at once anyone using or accepting it (or any self issued barter system) and only allow credit cards and e-money.
        tantalor 14y ago
        I doubt it. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, etc., etc.
- base698 14y ago
  Donate to Wikileaks. Oh wait!

"Bitcoin is interfering with the ability of the government to stop consensual transactions between adults." UH OH

by readme 14y ago

"Bitcoin is interfering with the ability of the government to stop consensual transactions between adults." UH OH

I wonder how anyone can think that is the case. Can the government stop me from buying something with USD? Not a chance.

coldtea 14y ago
>Can the government stop me from buying something with USD? Not a chance. What? Of course they can. They can get a warrant and bust into your house and put you in jail if they have basis to believe you have bought something they think you shouldn't have (drugs, child porn, slaves, and tons of other things).
- sliverstorm 14y ago
  Sure, they can penalize me after, but they can't actually stop me from buying something I shouldn't have. Precisely the same with bitcoin.
  - tantalor 14y ago
    You're implying that there are always back channels? What if they could effectively limit the supply of something? Can you buy a live sample of measles?
    - sliverstorm 14y ago
      You're getting way off track here. The assertion was that the government is afraid that it can't stop you from spending bitcoins, the implication being that it can with cash. Bitcoin vs. USD doesn't solve your ability to purchase weaponized measles.
      - tantalor 14y ago
        Generally I agree with you, but in some cases a government does interfere to limit, inhibit, discourage, or prevent purchasing to varying degrees. They make it very hard. Controlled substances for example. They can even do it automatedly, such as freezing the ability to withdraw or deposit funds electronically.
        sliverstorm 14y ago
        Even in those cases, they don't control your dollars, they control the companies that you have asked to hold your money.
        coldtea 14y ago
        Sure, but also notice how they never (in history) tried to control your dollars in such a manner. If they had set their mind to do just that, I bet they would succeed. For one: forbid all cash, arrest at once anyone using or accepting it (or any self issued barter system) and only allow credit cards and e-money.
        tantalor 14y ago
        I doubt it. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, etc., etc.
base698 14y ago
Donate to Wikileaks. Oh wait!