The Back Story 016 looks at taxation from a slightly different perspective than those who conclude it’s theft.
Tag: taxation
There’s No Such Thing as Legalized Crime
I wish it would go without saying, but many a libertarian decry practices like taxation and civil asset forfeiture as “legalized theft.” Et cetera, Et cetera. It is only “legalized” if the laws allowing it actually applied to anyone, that they are anything more than opinions scribbled on parchment, paper, or computer screens.
Is Taxation Theft? Yes and No
Whether the government-based practice of taxation is theft depends on whether said government has jurisdiction over those they tax. Whether said government has jurisdiction over those they tax depends on whether said government’s laws outlining jurisdiction apply to anyone.
Who Will Build The Roads? Anarchists.
The Portland anarchists at PARC are out to fix more roads and serve their community, by voluntary action. Without government permission and at government dismay. Only few anarchists are bandana-wearing, Molotov cocktail-wielding protestors, while many are peaceful, liberty-loving people who want to help their community via voluntary association.
The Back Story 011 – Taxation is Theft (3m)
The Back Story 011 explains why the practice of taxation by governments is tantamount to stealing from others.
Taxation is Theft! So… Tax the Government?
How long would it take, do you think, for government to learn to be more efficient (it has no incentive to do so currently, after all), or at least learn to spend money with more discretion and purpose?
Why the Schism?
The debates and arguments continue. Both sides can’t understand why their opponents can’t see their own point of view. The battles between Progressives/Liberals and Libertarian/Conservatives are the most vociferous. Why does such contentiousness exist? Here is my analysis. It boils down to some specific realizations.
Defending a Free Nation
Most societies, at least in this century, handle the problem of national defense by having a large, well-armed, permanent military force, run by a centralized government, funded by taxation, and often (though not always) manned by conscription. Is this a solution that a free nation can or should follow?
Things to Keep in Mind During the Health Care Debate
Politicians, of course, can declare a right to medical care, but those are mere words. What counts is what happens after the declaration. Since a system in which everyone could have, on demand, all the medical care they wanted at no cost would be unsustainable, the so-called right to medical care necessarily translates into the power of politicians and bureaucrats to set the terms under which medical services and products may be provided and received.
Such a Sad Life
Is it really a sad thing to accept the nature of reality and ethical behavior? To understand that theft and aggression are wrong, even if you don’t feel they actually harm you? Even if you deny the acts in question are theft and aggression? I certainly don’t think so.