4 ms·

Because I am legally and morally compelled to pay taxes to my country, and in exchange my country is legally and morally compelled to look out for my interests

Because I am legally and morally compelled to pay taxes to my country, and in exchange my country is legally and morally compelled to look out for my interests and well-being--not to find the fastest and most economical means to replace me. It's called the social contract, that is my moral calculus.

murbard2 12y ago
Valentino Mancini has been coming to your grocery store and he's offered to protect you against fire hazards. He made such a compelling offer you couldn't refuse it, and you've been paying him off for years. Valentino protects you, he's been looking out for you. Like when they tried to build a K-Mart in the neighborhood, and the developer had an unfortunate accident. But here's the thing, Valentino's consigliere has convinced him to let in a new grocer in the neighborhood, and business hasn't been that good since. Is it ethical for you to go see Valentino and complain that, since you've been paying him off for years, he should kick that new grocer out of the neighborhood?
- freehunter 12y ago
  Oh right, because the government is like the Mafia. Yeah that whole anarchy thing totally works.
  - murbard2 12y ago
    The government is different from the Mafia in many ways, and similar in other ways. Analogies are helpful as a source of moral intuition. What matters in this example is that two wrongs don't make a right. If it's morally wrong to prevent immigrants from finding jobs in the US, then the fact that the parent has paid taxes is irrelevant. Using it to justify preventing immigrants from getting jobs in the country is begging the question.
dennisgorelik 12y ago
1) Most of the taxes are paid by businesses and business owners 2) Immigrant workers are paying their taxes as much as you do (or more). Considering the above and applying your logic, government should remove all restrictions (except security consideration) on bringing foreign workers into the US.
jes 12y ago
I agree that you are legally compelled to pay taxes, but why do you say that you are morally compelled to do so? Democracy is a kind of majority rule, isn't it? If the majority votes to take 50% of my income in taxes, and uses the money to start wars around the world, I stumble when it comes to saying I'm morally obligated to pay those taxes. Thoughts?

murbard2 12y ago

Valentino Mancini has been coming to your grocery store and he's offered to protect you against fire hazards. He made such a compelling offer you couldn't refuse it, and you've been paying him off for years. Valentino protects you, he's been looking out for you. Like when they tried to build a K-Mart in the neighborhood, and the developer had an unfortunate accident. But here's the thing, Valentino's consigliere has convinced him to let in a new grocer in the neighborhood, and business hasn't been that good since. Is it ethical for you to go see Valentino and complain that, since you've been paying him off for years, he should kick that new grocer out of the neighborhood?

freehunter 12y ago
Oh right, because the government is like the Mafia. Yeah that whole anarchy thing totally works.
- murbard2 12y ago
  The government is different from the Mafia in many ways, and similar in other ways. Analogies are helpful as a source of moral intuition. What matters in this example is that two wrongs don't make a right. If it's morally wrong to prevent immigrants from finding jobs in the US, then the fact that the parent has paid taxes is irrelevant. Using it to justify preventing immigrants from getting jobs in the country is begging the question.

dennisgorelik 12y ago

1) Most of the taxes are paid by businesses and business owners 2) Immigrant workers are paying their taxes as much as you do (or more). Considering the above and applying your logic, government should remove all restrictions (except security consideration) on bringing foreign workers into the US.

jes 12y ago

I agree that you are legally compelled to pay taxes, but why do you say that you are morally compelled to do so? Democracy is a kind of majority rule, isn't it? If the majority votes to take 50% of my income in taxes, and uses the money to start wars around the world, I stumble when it comes to saying I'm morally obligated to pay those taxes. Thoughts?