Questions I ask Myself about Independence Day - A Voluntaryist perspective on Freedom
I have yet to write a post about the State since being on Steemit. Being that it is July 4th, I'd like to take the time to remind everyone of a few things . . .
"You don't have to remind me, I dislike taxes as much as the next guy"
Yea, I hear you dear reader.
We've all heard "no taxation without representation." I prefer this better version spouted off by James Otis: "taxation without representation is tyranny." Figuring out what the heck that tax rate even was back then for things was a difficult task. This article does a fairly good job of breaking everything down . . the conclusion:
.. depending on which tax you’re referring to (and depending on when “pound” is referring to weight as opposed to the amount of currency) the colonists were paying a tea tax of between 0.8% (3 pence per pound) and 66% (4 shillings per pound).
Some Initial Questions
In my home state of Michigan we pay a 6 percent tax on sales alone.
Do the politicians that we elect really represent the people?
The complete and total will of the people?
Is their definition of adequate "representation" the same as mine?
Do you feel reasonably represented by your elected officials?
Do you think they have your best interests at heart?
Is all this wasteful spending demonstrative of what a responsible representative should do?
As a voluntaryist, I answer no to all of the above questions
Taken a step further
Why do people inherently accept that we need leaders to govern us in the first place?
Isn't the legislating of morality by force, in and of itself, an immoral act?
Isn't it an oxymoron?
Isn't taxation an involuntary act, backed up by the aggression of the State?
Did you voluntary choose, of your own free will, to pay a significant portion of your income to the government?
What we deem patriotic today was most certainly NOT considered patriotic to England. Declaring independence was actually illegal, sedition was definitely illegal, and the treason that subsequently followed was also illegal.
These guys would be deemed the most egregious of terrorist criminals today. So called fringe lunatics that resisted the authority. Freedom will always be illegal.
Source - I will always love NoFX :)
But hey, it's all good though right?
I hope, as time progresses, more people will come to the realization, that we would be much better off with a free market, never using aggression unless it is to defend ourselves, and ONLY engaging in mutual, voluntary exchanges of goods and services.
On a lighter note, I will be engaging in some boom factor this evening. What can I say, things going Kablam!! is always pretty fun. But I always think about what the meaning behind it represents.
The freedom from an oppressive and tyrannical monarch. Fast forward to today, into the arms of, although not a monarchy, it is still two sides of the same coin.
Have fun today though!! I know I will!!
Sources:
My answer would be no as well.
Our country is so far off course from where we started. We are turning more and more into a country that lacks freedom. Our taxes are insane, if you really look at everything that carries a tax it is rediculous. Our "representatives" are anything but. Term limits and a purging of the government is what is needed. Happy Independence Day!
Followed as soon as I saw NOFX, and felt a wave of nostalgia for my teen years. Then, because you are so fuking right and I say this every single day.
I want land - I lived in the city for years, so am a bit stunted developmentally lol. Didn't consider property taxes. Well, wouldn't ya know, property taxes can be as much as paying rent, depending what you build on that land? And even if you do nothing with it, you're still paying at the very least $3K a year.
As long as we have gov't we don't have freedom. the hard core American patriots always crack me up , supporting their billionaire slave master (this round, anyway. Not that it matters who's in office - their goals are all the same, to control and tax us to death!)
To quote Jello Biafra - another of my punk idols - we'll be enslaved as long as the masses remain complacent - and cry "gimmie convenience or gimmie death!"
Awesome! Yea, I've been a NoFX fan for like 20 years . . and my age is showing now haha
I still live in the city. And I see the idiocy of government in action all around me on a daily basis. You're right. The only thing the politicians care anything about is strengthening and consolidating their own power. Benefits to the citizenry is a by-product.
I'm a huge Bad Religion fan too :) . . . I think we're going to get along fine.
OMG! Bad Religion. My favorite band EVER. (Well, pre the Empire Strikes First...strong lyrics, but too melodic.) I have a ticket autographed by Greg Graffin framed over my piano - and was totally blaring No Control while driving around yesterday. Shit...it really has been like 20 years...but when I listen to those old albums, I still feel like I'm 15 y/o mosh pit hero. Age is just a number right? ;-)
Nice to meet you!
YES!!! No Control is one of my favorite BR albums. I will always love Against the Grain, Suffer, Stranger Than Fiction . . shoot they have HUNDREDS of awesome songs. It's hard enough for a band to make a great album front to back, a lot don't ever do it. But BR does in consistenly for over 25 years! Woot woot!!
They're just flat out awesome. The lyrical content alone . . . but couple that with great melodies, awesome guitar work, and SOLID members . . it's crazy to think just how active Graffin must be. His academical stuff and his band . . crap lol
Maybe you can talk to that volunteer called "Bane". He has great plans I hear.
Come to think of it, I believe he is a goof too
Happy independence day 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
nice post ,,, you have good blog , Good luck. Comrade
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