While New Hampshire, Colorado and South Dakota could all reasonably claim to be the freest state in the country, only New York is in contention for the least free title. The main reason is the Empire State's penchant for high taxes - on the whole, they are the highest in the nation, and income taxes on both the individual and business level are extensive.
Originally posted by zeeblebot http://www.realclearpolitics.com/lists/freest-least-free-states/new-york.html?state=play
While New Hampshire, Colorado and South Dakota could all reasonably claim to be the freest state in the country, only New York is in contention for the least free title. The main reason is the Empire State's penchant for high taxes - on the whole, they are the highest in the nation, and income taxes on both the individual and business level are extensive.
Freedom can be defined in terms of the level of taxation?
Originally posted by FMF Freedom can be defined in terms of the level of taxation?
I can't even think a devil's advocate argument to fight this idea's corner.
What was your link about? I can't be bothered to go there. Want to give us your own take on this topic, modified - as much or as little as you wish - by something you've read, if needs be?
Originally posted by zeeblebot c'mon. click on it.
No. I'm not interested in what someone wrote on wikipedia. Never mind. Your premise for this thread is bizarre. And you are seemingly unwilling to defend it it, let alone expand upon it. Oh well.
Originally posted by FMF Freedom can be defined in terms of the level of taxation?
Well the Founding Fathers seemed to think they were related. However, as for socialists and the left on this site, taxation seems to have nothing to do with it. So I guess you simply have to choose where you live based upon your perspective.
Originally posted by whodey Well the Founding Fathers seemed to think they were related. However, as for socialists and the left on this site, taxation seems to have nothing to do with it. So I guess you simply have to choose where you live based upon your perspective.
So pure freedom would be taxless - 'freedom from infrastructure', 'freedom from being defended', 'freedom from a legal system'?
Originally posted by FMF No. I'm not interested in what someone wrote on wikipedia. Never mind. Your premise for this thread is bizarre. And you are seemingly unwilling to defend it it, let alone expand upon it. Oh well.
it's up to you to further your own education. remain in the mire if you want.
Originally posted by FMF So pure freedom would be taxless - 'freedom from infrastructure', 'freedom from being defended', 'freedom from a legal system'?
Originally posted by zeeblebot it's up to you to further your own education. remain in the mire if you want.
You sadly overrate your own essentiality - and the essentiality of the things you deem to be interesting on the web. If I wanted to 'debate with wikipedia' I would go there, log on, and edit articles.
Originally posted by zeeblebot http://www.realclearpolitics.com/lists/freest-least-free-states/new-york.html?state=play
While New Hampshire, Colorado and South Dakota could all reasonably claim to be the freest state in the country, only New York is in contention for the least free title. The main reason is the Empire State's penchant for high taxes - on the whole, they are the highest in the nation, and income taxes on both the individual and business level are extensive.
What do you care about New York? You live in California...the land of pot plants, new religions, and sunshine. Leave New York alone, it's not bothering you.😏
Originally posted by FMF So pure freedom would be taxless - 'freedom from infrastructure', 'freedom from being defended', 'freedom from a legal system'?
I am only stating how some of the Founding Fathers felt. For example, Ben Franklin once said taxes that exceed 1/10th of your income should be considered oppressive. The Boston Tea party was hatched due to taxation wihout representation etc.
I don't know anyone who does not like taxes, do you? In fact, the people who vote for them often don't even pay them as the Obama administration soon found out earlier this year. LOL.
Originally posted by whodey I don't know anyone who does not like taxes, do you? .
I have wasted scarcely a single minute of my life bellyaching about taxes. I find obsession with tax - even reaching the baffling extreme of equating an utterly mundane thing like 'a high level of tax' with "freedom"! - almost incomprehensible.