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Now, the next step would be to realize that the underlying problem here is the existence of Government itself. It's an arrangement where a small group of peopl

Now, the next step would be to realize that the underlying problem here is the existence of Government itself. It's an arrangement where a small group of people: - Is in a position to accept bribes in exchange for influence. - Decides everything for 300 million *individuals*. - Uses other people's money (or conjures more out of thin air). - Is not responsible for their actions. What could possibly go wrong?

jellicle 14y ago
Good idea. The U.S. should emulate governmentless Somalia, because it has worked so well.
- white_devil 14y ago
  Ah yes, the classic Somalia-strawman.
  - jellicle 14y ago
    You seem confused. Arguing against a strawman involves describing an opponent's argument falsely and then attacking it. In this case you, who are apparently an extreme idiot, have written a diatribe saying that the "underlying problem here is the existence of Government itself." It is not, in fact, a strawman to describe your argument as being for the dissolution of the U.S. Government entirely, and currently Somalia is well-known for the absence of any effective government.
    - white_devil 13y ago
      Somalia is often trotted out as some kind of pseudo-argument against anarchism, as if it were an example of what would happen without a government. I can see at least a couple of problems with that: - Somalia has a government, regadless of how "effective" it is, and that alone makes it an invalid comparison. - The absence of government means the absence of coercion, and that everything would be based on voluntary trade. It does not automatically follow that every place without a government would be a hellish shithole. That soup requires other ingredients besides "no government-controlled police force". > You seem confused. Arguing against a strawman involves describing an opponent's argument falsely and then attacking it. - I pointed out that the existence of Government is a problem. - You implied I was advocating emulating Somalia (originally calling it "governmentless", but now covering your ass by adding "effective"). "Strawman" seems appropriate. Who was the idiot again?
    - white_devil 13y ago
      I see you have enough karma to downvote comments :p Now how about a rebuttal?

jellicle 14y ago

Good idea. The U.S. should emulate governmentless Somalia, because it has worked so well.

white_devil 14y ago
Ah yes, the classic Somalia-strawman.
- jellicle 14y ago
  You seem confused. Arguing against a strawman involves describing an opponent's argument falsely and then attacking it. In this case you, who are apparently an extreme idiot, have written a diatribe saying that the "underlying problem here is the existence of Government itself." It is not, in fact, a strawman to describe your argument as being for the dissolution of the U.S. Government entirely, and currently Somalia is well-known for the absence of any effective government.
  - white_devil 13y ago
    Somalia is often trotted out as some kind of pseudo-argument against anarchism, as if it were an example of what would happen without a government. I can see at least a couple of problems with that: - Somalia has a government, regadless of how "effective" it is, and that alone makes it an invalid comparison. - The absence of government means the absence of coercion, and that everything would be based on voluntary trade. It does not automatically follow that every place without a government would be a hellish shithole. That soup requires other ingredients besides "no government-controlled police force". > You seem confused. Arguing against a strawman involves describing an opponent's argument falsely and then attacking it. - I pointed out that the existence of Government is a problem. - You implied I was advocating emulating Somalia (originally calling it "governmentless", but now covering your ass by adding "effective"). "Strawman" seems appropriate. Who was the idiot again?
  - white_devil 13y ago
    I see you have enough karma to downvote comments :p Now how about a rebuttal?