The conclusions you draw are absolutely absurd. I had a long reply typed up, but I'm not even going to bother, on the basis that you don't seem to understand enough about libertarianism and freedom to actually argue against it. My favorite part, however, is when you claim you don't see me as a child, while labeling me a teenager multiple times.
Next time, try not to be so belittling, if you want your arguments to hold any credibility.
circletimesquare, after reading many of your posts in this thread, it seems to me you do not understand basic libertarian/free-market theory. I also think you seem to know little about individuals, thinking we all need mommies to hold our hand and tell us what to do.
Regardless of how you want to define "selfishness", its still force by others to take money out of my pocket. I would think someone wanting to take my money is much more "selfish" than me wanting to keep my money. You know, I give very little to charity right now... however, I would give considerably more if the government didn't take 40%+ of my money for itself (to waste). You seem to not realize that MANY MANY people react to force this way. I've been that way in my personal life since I was a child... I would almost refuse to clean my room if my mother yelled at me. However if she didn't, I would clean it myself, and she would then be pleasantly suprised... a win-win situation.
Your idea that you have to "take care of your community" shows signs of very deep-rooted collectivism, with the inability to understand that without people trying to actively control the community, it will control itself. If everyone acts in self-INTEREST (not selfishness), everyone benefits. I would bet my LIFE on the fact that if there was no government force stealing your money, charitable organizations would more than double.
My question to you is this: Do you realize that its people like you that are leading our country towards a Fascist or Socialist state?
Its amazing how many people seem to be pro-taxes. For those of you who don't know, there are large debates on even the legality of the Federal Income Tax.
Have you all ever considered that if we drastically shrank the size of the federal government, taxes would plummet? I think the largest problem we have in our country is the inability to define problems. The real reasons illegal immigration is a problem are social welfare and minimum wage, for example. (No, national security is not a valid reason... hell the 9/11 terrorists were here legally! I'm sorry, but the government cannot protect you.)
If I worked for someone, and they took 100% of my money, that would make me a slave. Most Americans are taxed somewhere in the 40% area (after sales, property, income, etc). Does that make you 40% a slave?
I seriously think a lot of you need to take a long hard look ad your thought processes, if you really think we need to be taxed more. The logic that "income should be taxed" is complete brainwashing.
I think the REAL issue here is that we have a credit system at all. Some nebulous number that your worth as a human being is judged on. Combined with the Patriot Act, Federal Reserve, and the illegal income tax, the future looks bleak in my eyes. Unfortunately most people don't seem to see a problem as we sign our life away.
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The conclusions you draw are absolutely absurd. I had a long reply typed up, but I'm not even going to bother, on the basis that you don't seem to understand enough about libertarianism and freedom to actually argue against it. My favorite part, however, is when you claim you don't see me as a child, while labeling me a teenager multiple times.
Next time, try not to be so belittling, if you want your arguments to hold any credibility.
circletimesquare, after reading many of your posts in this thread, it seems to me you do not understand basic libertarian/free-market theory. I also think you seem to know little about individuals, thinking we all need mommies to hold our hand and tell us what to do.
Regardless of how you want to define "selfishness", its still force by others to take money out of my pocket. I would think someone wanting to take my money is much more "selfish" than me wanting to keep my money. You know, I give very little to charity right now... however, I would give considerably more if the government didn't take 40%+ of my money for itself (to waste). You seem to not realize that MANY MANY people react to force this way. I've been that way in my personal life since I was a child... I would almost refuse to clean my room if my mother yelled at me. However if she didn't, I would clean it myself, and she would then be pleasantly suprised... a win-win situation.
Your idea that you have to "take care of your community" shows signs of very deep-rooted collectivism, with the inability to understand that without people trying to actively control the community, it will control itself. If everyone acts in self-INTEREST (not selfishness), everyone benefits. I would bet my LIFE on the fact that if there was no government force stealing your money, charitable organizations would more than double.
My question to you is this: Do you realize that its people like you that are leading our country towards a Fascist or Socialist state?
Its amazing how many people seem to be pro-taxes. For those of you who don't know, there are large debates on even the legality of the Federal Income Tax.
Have you all ever considered that if we drastically shrank the size of the federal government, taxes would plummet? I think the largest problem we have in our country is the inability to define problems. The real reasons illegal immigration is a problem are social welfare and minimum wage, for example. (No, national security is not a valid reason... hell the 9/11 terrorists were here legally! I'm sorry, but the government cannot protect you.)
If I worked for someone, and they took 100% of my money, that would make me a slave. Most Americans are taxed somewhere in the 40% area (after sales, property, income, etc). Does that make you 40% a slave?
I seriously think a lot of you need to take a long hard look ad your thought processes, if you really think we need to be taxed more. The logic that "income should be taxed" is complete brainwashing.
Time to party like its 1984!!
I think the REAL issue here is that we have a credit system at all. Some nebulous number that your worth as a human being is judged on. Combined with the Patriot Act, Federal Reserve, and the illegal income tax, the future looks bleak in my eyes. Unfortunately most people don't seem to see a problem as we sign our life away.
This is doubleplusungood.