How Taxation is Not Theft

[Frosty]

The difference is quite simple, it all comes down to consent. You consent to enter into a voluntary agreement to buy land, rent land/property or similar. With the state there is no consent, they extract taxes with force or the threat of force. When force is applied by one party there can be no meaningful consent.

 

Having the ability to leave a certain geographic reason doesn't make what the state is doing any less immoral, and in many cases state imposed laws about travelling internationally is just another layer of force applied to stop people from escaping. Countries such as the USA will actually tax you even if you move and work abroad permanently, and the process for revoking your citizenship is lengthy and increasingly expensive and in some cases possibly prohibitively expensive.

[EclecticIdealist]

The difference is quite simple, it all comes down to consent. You consent to enter into a voluntary agreement to buy land, rent land/property or similar. With the state there is no consent, they extract taxes with force or the threat of force. When force is applied by one party there can be no meaningful consent.

Next you'll be suggesting that people shouldn't be forced to do anything the government officials tell them they must.

 

Having the ability to leave a certain geographic region doesn't make what the state is doing any less immoral, and in many cases state imposed laws about travelling internationally is just another layer of force applied to stop people from escaping. Countries such as the USA will actually tax you even if you move and work abroad permanently, and the process for revoking your citizenship is lengthy and increasingly expensive and in some cases possibly prohibitively expensive.

What more proof do you need that America is a slave state and the people are its slaves? We simply have more privileges than slaves in other slave states.

[Des]

What is wrong with the state is not merely that it steals, but that you could die.

If it steals your savings and can't or won't, or in error does not pay you a pension, you will die.

If it mistakes you for a murderer, you will die (in some states).

The exemption of officers of the state, from the rules which protect you from death by being attacked, is the problem.

[EclecticIdealist]

What is wrong with the state is not merely that it steals, but that you could die.

If it steals your savings and can't or won't, or in error does not pay you a pension, you will die.

If it mistakes you for a murderer, you will die (in some states).

The exemption of officers of the state, from the rules which protect you from death by being attacked, is the problem.

It is not the only problem, but I agree with your sentiments completely. Long-term incarceration is often deemed a fate worse than death, prompting many to attempt suicide.

[Des]

It is not the only problem, but I agree with your sentiments completely. Long-term incarceration is often deemed a fate worse than death, prompting many to attempt suicide.

Yes, who would sign a contract by which his landlord could lock him in a cage, or execute him?

If States are fancy landlords, let them evict "tenants" who misbehave.

If the country I live in (South Africa), is a large rental property, how can I purchase a subdivision unencumbered of taxation by its former owner?

[aviet]

I find the position of the article's author frustrating. Their argument consists of a collection of non-arguments and opinions given as universals. If our ancestors refused to modify what they held as universal we would still be living in caves.

The author believes in the state and has a a number of rules that go along with the state. I would find it more credible if they argued 'taxation is not a perfect system, but I think its the best system there is'.

[Livemike]

"It is not theft if you receive something in return."
This was refuted in 1976 by a reggae band*, so we can assume that the author has no points worthy of note.

 

 

*  "Well he looked down at my silver chain
He said I'll give you one dollar
I said you've got to be jokin' man
It was a present from me mother
He said I like it I want it
I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You'd better understand that you're alone
A long way from home."

10 Cc - Dreadlock Holiday