• broken_chatbot@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    tbh, in this interpretation, it sounds like extortion, sort of what gangs usually do to minor business owners

    tax is tax, it’s a mandatory contribution to society you morally and legally obliged to do, not a payment for not being killed

    • chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      The whole libertarian argument is that the government is just the most powerful gang who goes around extorting everyone to pay taxes. If we’re not morally obligated to pay up when it’s a small gang, why does morality change when it’s a large gang?

      • broken_chatbot@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        as a person coming from a totalitarian country, I would still prefer dealing with a single gang which also has its own welfare obligations can be corrected or overthrown when needed, than several mafia-like cartels which only care about extorting money from me providing nothing to both me and the society as a whole.

        governments have responsibility, too, it’s just some don’t accept it

        • chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Oh definitely. That’s the argument from pragmatism which I wholeheartedly support. At the end of the day, we need to feed and shelter ourselves and keep ourselves safe from aggression and violence.

          The moral argument is a much more difficult one to tackle. Much has been written on this topic: consent of the governed, responsibility of the individual towards society and vice versa.

    • shneancy@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      morality and legality barely apply to billionaires of the world. If they don’t want to play by the rules then how long can we put up with them hoarding the wealth that could save millions?

    • stupidcasey@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Any payment that is mandatory is definitionally extortion.

      “Extortion is the act of obtaining money, property, or services from an individual or institution through coercion, threats, or intimidation.”

      A contribution cannot be obligated.

      “A contribution is something given or offered to help achieve a common goal or cause.“

      Morality is subjective.

      The Law is just a Mob that can hold power, If you had a choice you and every other individual would choose not to pay taxes up to and including your own detriment.

      Not saying we would be better without law but I am saying Laws are just as immoral as any other system.

      • JaggedRobotPubes@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        And all the good things we rely on in society don’t work unless everybody pitches in. It’s not “do I give you money Y/N”, it’s " do I give you money and get the benefits of living in society Y/N".

        Or, as in some societies, only the bad parts, with the good parts forcibly stripped away.

        • stupidcasey@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Just remember every good thing you received from society was taken from someone else usually in the form of colonization and you are looking at it from the side of the taker not the taker.

    • theneverfox@pawb.social
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      2 months ago

      That is what tax is meant to be… But at the end of the day, what happens if you refuse to pay? Eventually, either the money is taken without your permission or people will show up to put you in a room under threat of violence

      Yeah, this is coercive. That’s what happens when you continuously act in bad faith in a community - eventually, people get fed up. This is just the chaotic version rather than the lawful one. It bypasses the states monopoly on violence, but it’s also a very pure expression of the will of the people

    • NatakuNox@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Why is passive violence never acknowledged? Wealthy people create conditions in which poor people die and are harmed. Boeing literally has planes dropping out of the sky killing hundreds, all because an executive and investors want more money and power. Their punishment, a small fine. A politician can wave away health care for millions of people resulting in death and injury… Nothing but a high five from those that decry “violence.” and don’t get me started on the oil industry… If the wealthy and powerful can indirectly kill millions with out punishment to the extreme then we don’t have a society.

    • Lux@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      2 months ago

      If those in power are making millions of lives worse, they should be stopped. I prefer doing this by taking their power, but I would settle for their heads if there is no alternative.

    • ContrarianTrail@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      I know they’re a tiny minority, and most of these extremists are literal kids, but they sure are successful at eroding my faith in humanity.

      • glimse@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        The systematic oppression of everyone without wealth didn’t erode your faith in humanity but a couple people suggesting we kill our masters did? Well, at least you’ve got the moral high ground

          • glimse@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            Haven’t noticed the skyrocketing wealth gap, eh? Costs going up for us while profits go up for them? Government policies that benefit them at our expense? Laws that don’t seem to apply to people with money? Maybe I’m the crazy one

            • ContrarianTrail@lemm.ee
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              2 months ago

              You’re describing the sympoms. I was asking about the cause. “Systemic oppression of anyone without wealth” is quite a bold claim.

              • glimse@lemmy.world
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                2 months ago

                The cause is literally wealth hoarding. By those being recommended to the guillotine. They didn’t happen by accident.

                • ContrarianTrail@lemm.ee
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                  2 months ago

                  You’re being quite vague. What is wealth hoarding? Is Elon Musk the richest man in the world because he’s hoarding wealth?

      • Clent@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        People like you are why I no longer wonder where evil movie villains find all those faceless henchmen.

        You will never be one of them. No matter how nice you are to them they will treat you the same as anyone else they see as inferior.

        • Maeve
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          2 months ago

          Slightly nicer to your face if you simp hard enough. Their still grossed out and laughing, behind your back.

          • Clent@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            Assuming they spend anytime thinking about you at all.

            The media always paints it as this cute thing when rich and powerful give everyone a nickname but it’s because they cannot be bothered to remember your name.

            • Maeve
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              2 months ago

              Absolutely, even when serving them regularly.