03 Aug 10
Is the former an example of the latter?
If so, is theft then sometimes justified? And can other forms of theft be justified too?
If not, what makes taxation not theft? Can the coercive confiscation of private wealth ever be anything but?
I am currently trying to get my thoughts straight on this matter, and would appreciate your input.
03 Aug 10
Not this again. First of all, theft is a legal term as well as an informal term. If you are talking about the legal term, it varies from legal system to legal system and is documented in their respective laws and jurisprudence. If you are talking about the latter, then it is a matter of opinion and not of (trivial) fact.
Secondly, taxation is determined through collective consensus; one takes part in society and reaps it benefits, and in turn society collects taxes to keep those benefits society provides to the individual - in practise there is little stopping someone from not taking any more part in society and living as a hermit in the woods, and not pay any taxes.
03 Aug 10
Originally posted by IshDaGegg==Is the former an example of the latter?==
Is the former an example of the latter?
If so, is theft then sometimes justified? And can other forms of theft be justified too?
If not, what makes taxation not theft? Can the coercive confiscation of private wealth ever be anything but?
I am currently trying to get my thoughts straight on this matter, and would appreciate your input.
No
==If so, is theft then sometimes justified?==
N/A
==And can other forms of theft be justified too?==
yes; sometimes some thefts are justified (e.g., stealing and taking asprin if you're having a heart attack in a CVS and you forgot your wallet)
==If not, what makes taxation not theft? ==
Taxation is not theft because it is imposed with the consent of the governed pursuant to a Lockean social contract arrangement between the people and its government.
==Can the coercive confiscation of private wealth ever be anything but?==
The "coercive confiscation of private" property is not only not theft, but eminent domain is a power of a sovereign the concept of which has never been seriously challenged.
==I am currently trying to get my thoughts straight on this matter, and would appreciate your input.==
Any time
03 Aug 10
1 edit
Originally posted by IshDaGeggIn other words, you elect representatives to represent you so any taxation that they feel is necessary or desire you pay. The expectation is that you will kick them out of office if you do not like their representation. However, the game now seems to be to spend like drunken sailors without taxation because these same politicians don't want to be kicked out of office but, at the same time, enjoy spending your money hand over fist like "W" and Obama are doing and have done. This then presents a problem for future generations who will have NO CHOICE in regards to increasing taxes.
Is the former an example of the latter?
If so, is theft then sometimes justified? And can other forms of theft be justified too?
If not, what makes taxation not theft? Can the coercive confiscation of private wealth ever be anything but?
I am currently trying to get my thoughts straight on this matter, and would appreciate your input.
American is a shining example of having a schitzophrenic personality in that they want "free things" they don't want to have to pay for.
03 Aug 10
1 edit
Originally posted by whodeybeing that this is a month to discuss non-US topics -- are there other countries that have a better way of running government and levying taxes?
In other words, you elect representatives to represent you so any taxation that they feel is necessary or desire you pay. The expectation is that you will kick them out of office if you do not like their representation. However, the game now seems to be to spend like drunken sailors without taxation because these same politicians don't want to be kicked out tzophrenic personality in that they want "free things" they don't want to have to pay for.
03 Aug 10
Originally posted by MelanerpesThe US probably has the most dysfunctional governing group of individuals in the history of mankind. Unfortunatly, all they concentrate on doing is increasing their power and lack of accountability.
being that this is a month to discuss non-US topics -- are there other countries that have a better way of running government and levying taxes?
03 Aug 10
4 edits
Originally posted by whodeyAnd yet, despite your belief that every other country in the world has a better system, you continue to choose to live in this one.
The US probably has the most dysfunctional governing group of individuals in the history of mankind. Unfortunatly, all they concentrate on doing is increasing their power and lack of accountability.
If nothing else, you could cross Lake Erie and live in Canada -- it's not that far away. (Not that rooting for the Blue Jays is much of a step up from the Reds...)
03 Aug 10
Originally posted by MelanerpesIt's also interesting that whodey seems never to want to consider 'good practice' from other countries. I seem to remember an anecdote about an old lady in a German hospital being brandished by whodey in order to nix any further or deeper consideration of the German health system.
And yet, despite your belief that every other country in the world has a better system, you continue to choose to live in this one.
03 Aug 10
Originally posted by FMFI guess Germany's off the list of countries that Whodey would be willing to move to in order to escape the tyranny he currently lives under.
It's also interesting that whodey seems never to want to consider 'good practice' from other countries. I seem to remember an anecdote about an old lady in a German hospital being brandished by whodey in order to nix any further or deeper consideration of the German health system.
03 Aug 10
Originally posted by MelanerpesLMAO!!!!!🙄😲😵😀😛🙂😉
FMF
Myself and others will post and create threads about what we so choose. USA or other wise. The month of August or any month!
Who the hell is FMF? Some authority around here? Or even some one who should be respected?
A vindictive, lying,deceitful troll through and through!
I could care less what the hell FMF has to say let alone honor some absurd request to censorship.
03 Aug 10
1 edit
Originally posted by utherpendragonI agree with FMF -- topics related to the US seem to dominate the Debates Forum -- so it would be most refreshing to take a month off from beating on the usual dead horses.
LMAO!!!!!🙄😲😵😀😛🙂😉
Myself and others will post and create threads about what we so choose. USA or other wise. The month of August or any month!
Who the hell is FMF? Some authority around here? Or even some one who should be respected?
A vindictive, lying,deceitful troll through and through!
I could care less what the hell FMF has to say let alone honor some absurd request to censorship.
Obviously, FMF isn't censoring anything. Post as you wish.