“Word for word and character for character, it’s tough to beat Ryan Maddox.” – Super-activist Pete Eyre
This is the first episode in what will become a weekly series highlighting a range of pro-freedom topics. This one focuses on establishing the parasitic nature of the state. Others soon to follow will cover topics such as Mesh Networks, DarkNets, and open-source ecology. New episodes will be featured on my YouTube channel each Friday. The goal of this series is to bring newcomers to the ideas of liberty and to equip the liberty community with the technical aspects of maintaining strong virtual and real-life networks. One such real-life network is The Corner News, my favorite store. Check them out below:
Get used to it. You are not going to change it. It sounds like the USA just might not be the place for you to live and be free.
The state is a parasite, but that doesn't change the fact that capitalist bosses, landlords, usurers, corporations, and other recipients of non-labor income are also parasites. And by the way, the "voluntary" argument isn't going to work. Go around Keene/Manchester/wherever and ask people why they pay their taxes. Chances are, the majority of those people will not say, "It's because the state is putting a gun to my head!" but rather something like, "Because I want roads, schools, infrastructure, etc. etc.". Then ask them if they would continue paying their taxes if all taxation became voluntary. I'd guess that most… Read more »
Derrick, was going to comment under ‘Man vs. State’, maybe more appropriate here. All information contain here is for educational and informational use. Nothing within, is not to be construe as legal advice, not on my participation.. Knowledge will make you free. Follow the link enclosed. A person can spend months following links within the links. I will advise you, there are videos/information within, that deals with extreme violence. You will also find repeat information. Hopefully people studying all the links will be more inform, realize the corrupt system, that controls their live from the cradle to the grave. These… Read more »
STFU Walter, that bullshit has been floating around forever. The minute you even open your mouth in a district criminal court and utter the word "Admiralty" – you are automatically pegged an internet NUTJOB. As if you found the golden keys to the golden crapper. That shit doesn't work – and it's bad advice to give to anyone. In the case of Derrick it doesn't matter of course, because he has already established himself that he is a nutjob and anything coming out of his mouth is usually disregarded and dismissed.
Business=parasite
Admirality courts?
Julia, you can't ask someone who's under duress, and get an honest answer. Remove the duress, /then/ ask if they still want to pay taxes.
Any voluntary interaction is legitimate, whether or not it meets with your personal aesthetic approval.
MaineShark, so you would agree that taxation is legit if people *voluntarily* chose to pay it?
Like I said, I would think that people's willingness to pay taxes to the state stems not from the threat of violence but from their impression that the benefits (i.e. infrastructure, a fire department, schools, health care, welfare, all sorts of other public goods, and goodies for business) outweigh the costs. I'm not trying to justify taxation; I'm just showing you that shit is a lot more complex.
I didn't take the time to read the WHOLE thing linked to here, but, there is SOME truth
in all those "Admiralty Courts" screeds…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I agree, Julia…If ALL taxes suddenly became "voluntary", most people would still readily pay most taxes, for the very reasons you stated…
Most folks WANT what infrastructure gov't uses tax money to build, and are OK
with cops, firefighters, etc….
We want fair representation, fair taxation, and to have our tax money wisely spent…
…if only it was like that…
🙁
~tKoK.
Julia, Just because some people may perceive a benefit from shopping at Walmart, should all people be forced to only shop at Walmart under the pain of a violent threat? (note – Walmart is an example, you could substitute any other provider of services if you like) There is no denying that the present system relies on an involuntary interaction. As Maine Shark pointed out "under duress" would have to be absent. It is not absent, it is very present. There is no way of getting around that. Government interactions for many people are not a willful interaction. The fact… Read more »
oh forgot to say….great logical points in the interview.
Thanks Guys!
Bob, the issue I'm trying to present here is, what's "voluntary" is highly subjective. When you use phrases like "no one is forcing you to ______" you conveniently leave out any context. For example, let's say my plane crashes in the middle of a desert leaving me stranded without food or water, all of a sudden a man comes riding along in his jeep, he agrees to help me out only on the condition that I promise to be his sex slave for the next 30 days. Obviously, the situation here is extremely coercive, but to anyone who believes "voluntary… Read more »
to bring a centralized violent monopoly back? When did it ever go away?
thats why i dont dabble in theoretical abstract abstractions,julia……I just help get liberties by degrees…um…. And I'm glad that didn't happen to you julia 🙂
If people just go on the road to were they want to be…ie stateless anacho-whateverism….. The you can just be glad w the degrees that you get….people can individually live free w out having a whole state
🙂
Bob Constantine on Mon, 23rd Jan 2012 5:06 pm
The solution seems that those who want a particular service should pay for it. Those that do not want a particular “service” should be able to seek services elsewhere or opt out without being threatened or harmed.
That's great bob. Which public roads and infrastructure do you plan to use? Everyone else pays for them. You don't want to, but something tells me you'll still use them.
And david, I think we're all glad you don't dabble in theoretical abstract abstractions.
🙂
Julia, if it's voluntary, it's not a tax. Taxes are, by definition, involuntary. And no, libertarians don't believe that "voluntary = ethical." Libertarianism states that "involuntary = unethical." Just because someone makes a statement, does not mean they are also making the converse of that statement. I realize that socialists don't understand logic (or math, for that matter), but perhaps you could at least /try/ not to make the most ridiculous sorts of fallacious claims? Regarding land for you commune… you buy the land, and then you are your own landlord. Problem solved. And no, just because socialist businesses are… Read more »
name,
You portray my wishes in the way that you can defeat them or slide the discussion sideways. I never said I don't want to pay for services that I use such as roads.
I want to eliminate extortion which entails being made to pay for "services" that I don't use and don't want. I also want an an option of more service providers, rather than a monopoly that relies on violence.
I want a society where people are free to live there lives in ways that they chose as long as there actions don't harm others….apparently you do not.
Bob C., "name" is mostly a troll…
You can TRY to have some sensible conversation, but, but, but,
Like "david", he mostly deals in theoretical abstract abstractions…
…as opposed to theoretical abstract concretions…
sum-thin' like dat…
🙂
~tKoK.