Underestimating long-term consequences of cryptoanarchy

[Tim May]

On Saturday, May 10, 2003, at 08:44  PM, Harmon Seaver wrote:

> On Sat, May 10, 2003 at 10:03:43AM -0700, Tim May wrote:
>> Which is all evolution in action, except that government should not be
>> in the construction and business development business. (I would go
>> further and say that nothing in the U.S. Constitution, which states 
>> and
>> localities are bound by, justifies taking money from citizens to give
>> to businesses. No matter "how smart an investment" it looks to be.
>> Ditto for governments running gambling operations, but I digress.)
>>
>    I agree with all the rest of this, however, I think you're wrong 
> about the
> gambling. I think that's the only way gov't ought to be allowed to 
> fund itself,
> by selling lottery tickets.

A superficially good idea ("sounds good!"), but ultimately silly.

Government bans gambling, or heavily regulates it, or declares illegal 
the exact odds it grants itself.

Lotteries, for example, are the ultimate sucker bet. The payoff is a 
miniscule fraction of what is betted, and then to add insult to injury, 
governments state the payoff as "twenty million dollars!!!!" when the 
actual anuity value is something like $8 million. (Because they declare 
the 20-year payout as the prize. A casino which tried this, or a 
private lottery company, would be prosecuted for fraud.)

Having government make gambling illegal but then operate gambling 
operations is no different from making prostitution illegal but then 
running brothels.

I admit it is useful as an illustration of the hypocrisy and dishonesty 
of government, but I believe all of those who have been involved in 
government-run gambling where gambling is otherwise illegal should be 
prosecuted and imprisoned. Several million should be sent to prison for 
exactly the crimes they send civilians to prison for.

--Tim May
"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any 
member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm 
to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient 
warrant." --John Stuart Mill