At 5:13 PM +0000 5/19/97, Paul Bradley wrote:
On the other hand, he obviously believes in the authority of the US government, as he has always supported it in arguments on the list, especially in counter arguments against TCM.
So, it appears that VZN is not *ready* to hold the government accountable, preferring not to protest when his own money is withheld for him, but hypocritically wondering when everyone will make this will happen.
I made a point a while ago on this list, which I felt strongly was correct at the time and I still feel as strongly now but this argument draws parallels which made me think again:
I stated that anyone who, in a situation of military conscription, fought for a country or a cause they did not believe in, simply to avoid punishment for refusal to fight, was a coward.
I still believe this, but really taxation is simply paying the government to be your hitman for you, your tax money pays the governments barbaric killing and warmongering, you cannot wash your hands of this simply by arguing that you did not choose for the money to pay for a war, you have to draw the conclusion that by funding the government and the state you fund killing and violence elsewhere in the world.
It is a similar case with taxation, until enough people stop whinging and actually do something the state will tax as it sees fit, I`m not going to be the first to refuse payment on ethical grounds in peacetime, maybe I`m lacking in moral fibre, maybe I`m just a realist and think I can do more for the case of freedom outside of a 6'x9' cell.
I wish all luck to those who do refuse to pay tax on moral and ethical grounds, they certainly have my admiration and I grant that they are probably of stronger stuff than I.
Since Congress passed a Presidential Line Item Veto, perhaps its time citizens ask for the same priviledge and for the same reasons. --Steve PGP mail preferred Fingerprint: FE 90 1A 95 9D EA 8D 61 81 2E CC A9 A4 4A FB A9 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve Schear | tel: (702) 658-2654 CEO | fax: (702) 658-2673 First ECache Corporation | 7075 West Gowan Road | Suite 2148 | Las Vegas, NV 89129 | Internet: azur@netcom.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- I know not what instruments others may use, but as for me, give me Ecache or give me debt. SHOW ME THE DIGITS!