From: chen@intuit.com (Mark Chen) Date: Wed, 5 Oct 1994 15:57:03 -0700 (PDT) It would be helpful if we could define the word "government." Is a government any organization of people, or is it any organization wherein some people hold coercive power over others? It's any organization that is allowed to have a monopoly on legitimate coercion. When the IRA collects taxes, and provides protection, that's thuggery. When the British Government does the same thing, that's perfectly fine. <cough!> In either case, how are corporations different from governments? In the main, corporations persuade and governments force. -- -russ <nelson@crynwr.com> http://www.crynwr.com/crynwr/nelson.html Crynwr Software | Crynwr Software sells packet driver support | ask4 PGP key 11 Grant St. | +1 315 268 1925 (9201 FAX) | What is thee doing about it? Potsdam, NY 13676 | LPF member - ask me about the harm software patents do.