Any argument against the idea of having a free society — one free of political government — also works against the idea of having such a government holding society down.
The only reason anyone still tries to make this argument is because crimes are called by different names when they are committed by government employees instead of by the self-employed.
When you pretend criminal acts aren’t criminal, you can justify anything.
Theft is called “taxation,” “asset forfeiture,” or “eminent domain.” Kidnapping becomes “arrest” or “sequestering,” and slavery is called “conscription.” Mass murder becomes “war,” while murder on a smaller scale becomes “capital punishment,” “collateral damage” or “department policy.” Propaganda becomes known as “schooling,” “patriotism” or “a government press release,” and torture becomes “enhanced interrogation.”
The biggest lie of all is when the warlords occupying your land are called “the government” to hide what they are and to make them sound legitimate. Often, the warlords are dishonestly called “leaders” rather than “politicians” or “rulers.” The lie doesn’t change what they are.
You wouldn’t put up with being treated by self-employed criminals the way politicians treat you. The only reason you turn a blind eye to those who violate you now is because they twist the language to favor themselves.
Most people generally believe government is necessary, or even good, because they’ve endured 13 or more years of brainwashing in government-controlled schools. Getting them when they are young and gullible works wonders.
If you won’t live peacefully among others without government looking over your shoulder, you aren’t really a better person just because it exists. In fact, you could (if you’re smart) get a government job so you can get away with the acts you want to commit from a cover of legitimacy. If you can call the theft you commit “taxation” and pretend it is in the victims’ interest, you’ll probably never face justice. Yet the act remains the same — taking property that doesn’t belong to you, from the rightful owner who would rather not lose it, under threat of violence.
As has been said, anarchy is no guarantee that bad people won’t violate the natural rights of others, but government guarantees they will — and will probably get away with it, too. Their offenses will be ignored or excused because it’s all “legal.”
If humans were angels, no political government would be necessary, but because they aren’t angels, political government is a terrible idea.