That's all I could think of today, upon hearing a person speak at a conference at work.
This conference is for a philosophical society. Best I can understand, they rate pure objectivity as the highest form of intellect. I can understand that, but I don't think I could ever approach all debatable topics with a clean slate like that. For instance, the topic that I heard the beginnings of today.
"No Taxation With, Or Without, Representation."
Like I said with the title...noble, but stupid.
I guess only a person looking at this completely objectivity would think this would work. Yes, I'm a misanthrope, but come on...for this to work, socialism/communism would have to work...and it has not, as of yet, worked in the history of the world.Only a very few people in this world will do something for nothing on a regular basis. For any large group of people to exist without taxation of any kind, the vast majority would have to do a lot of things for nothing. Call my cynical, but this is simply not going to happen in our lifetime, our children's lifetime, or their children's lifetime. It's Gene Roddenberry philosophy (who crafted his utopian Star Trek future where money doesn't exist on Earth anymore), and while it would be a much better world, it's simply not going to happen.
Because people are selfish.
And because absolute power corrupts absolutely.
I understand not wanting to pay your taxes. But wow. I don't understand how anybody can seriously discuss a no taxation system. The logistics to how even the simplest governments could function propped up only by the goodwill of others is mind boggling to me.
Ding ding ding!
ReplyDeleteTaxes suck!
ReplyDeleteBut they take it automatically so it's as if I dont even pay them.
It would be worse for me to have to go to work AND on top of that do voluntary duties.
Doesn't even sound close to my utopia.
I was going to say, so if I want a highway, I can build a little bit of it in front of my house, and just assume the neighbors will all do a little too, until it reaches the mall?
ReplyDeleteAs soon as people get one GOOD thing from government-collected money, they of course ruin and want a whole bunch of selfish stuff for themselves, too!
dan -
ReplyDeleteGoes the trolley?
ak-
ReplyDeleteThe ONLY way for this system to ever work would be if there were no money at all. And we are so far away from that it isn't funny.
brian -
ReplyDeletePeople really don't need a reason to act selfishly. That's why philanthropists are so celebrated. They're rare.
Bart,
ReplyDeleteLast night I caught bits of a "debate" on telly between Michael Moore and Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Larry King Live, and it is sometimes shocking to discover how people use numbers and figures the way they do. The doctor was refuting Moore's statement that in some countries health care is "free" he said it is not free since people pay taxes for them, higher taxes than apparently what Americans pay. The bottom line is EVERYONE pays taxes, where it is spent is the problem. And there is the truth to these services being free, because here in Canada, you can see a doctor and not have to shell out anything, unless you opt for private care. But even private care here is less expensive that private care in the US!
Anyway.. just my two cents worth...
Hi Bart-Man,
ReplyDeleteGood to see you getting wound up again. You do soapbox very well - and no, I'm not being sarcastic.
'Tis true what they say. They are only two certainties - death and taxes.
Or was it debt and taxis?
Oh dear ....
Cheers
David