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Taxation without representation

Taxation without representation

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Should those who pay taxes be the only ones who vote?

If not, then it seems to me that those being taxed are being taxed without adequate representation.

It is really no different than people in a distant land being able to vote in order to raise the taxes of those who actually pay taxes.

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Originally posted by whodey
Should those who pay taxes be the only ones who vote?
No.

Any more stupid questions?

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Originally posted by KazetNagorra
No.

Any more stupid questions?
How are those being taxed represented?

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Originally posted by whodey
How are those being taxed represented?
By representatives.

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Originally posted by KazetNagorra
By representatives.
So long as the so called representatives can oppress a certain segment of society simply because they are a minority. So the minority has no representation.

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Wouldn't it be nice if everyone could elect their own representative?

Just think, everyone would get their own representation.

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People drawing welfare shouldn't be allowed to vote until they get off it, otherwise they'll vote for whoever is promising them more public assistance.

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Originally posted by whodey
So long as the so called representatives can oppress a certain segment of society simply because they are a minority. So the minority has no representation.
The "minority" can vote just like the "majority" can. Do you feel "oppressed" by your elected representatives, whodey? If so, in what way precisely?

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Originally posted by FishHead111
People drawing welfare shouldn't be allowed to vote until they get off it, otherwise they'll vote for whoever is promising them more public assistance.
By that logic, do you think military personnel should not be allowed to vote because they might vote for higher military funding?

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Originally posted by whodey
Should those who pay taxes be the only ones who vote?

If not, then it seems to me that those being taxed are being taxed without adequate representation.

It is really no different than people in a distant land being able to vote in order to raise the taxes of those who actually pay taxes.
I've floated this one before whodey, your vote should be weighted by how much tax you pay, so beneficiaries and goobermint bureaurats (but I repeat myself, haw haw) don't get to vote, rich folk vote to reduce there taxes but this in effect reduces their voting power, it is a self leveling.

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Originally posted by KazetNagorra
No.

Any more stupid questions?
That "stupid question" was a matter of hearty debate by our founders. It wasn't dismissed so easily.

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Originally posted by KazetNagorra
By that logic, do you think military personnel should not be allowed to vote because they might vote for higher military funding?
Seems that a valid conflict of interests exists there.

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Originally posted by Wajoma
I've floated this one before whodey, your vote should be weighted by how much tax you pay, so beneficiaries and goobermint bureaurats (but I repeat myself, haw haw) don't get to vote, rich folk vote to reduce there taxes but this in effect reduces their voting power, it is a self leveling.
A brilliant idea, Wajoma. How many attoseconds of thought did you put into it?

How would you even measure how much taxes someone pays? How would you handle the incentives this gives government employees to obtain high gross incomes with high taxes? How would you deal with the angry mobs of retirees who just lost their vote because they decided, like the lazy freeloaders they are, to retire after 50 years of working?

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Originally posted by normbenign
Seems that a valid conflict of interests exists there.
Good thing there is such a thing as "democracy" that, when working efficiently, balances the various interests and conflicts between them in a society and manages to find a compromise between them.

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Originally posted by KazetNagorra
Good thing there is such a thing as "democracy" that, when working efficiently, balances the various interests and conflicts between them in a society and manages to find a compromise between them.
Unfortunately, democracy encourages building the biggest gang.

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