| I consider myself libertarian in some aspects. Anything that is a personal freedom, ie: prostitution, drug use, suicide etc. Should be legal. However unlike most libertarians I believe in SOME socialist aspects. However I think that if you should choose to be the ultra-free self-sustaining person, you have a right to withdraw yourself from the taxation process. However, you would not have access to ANY of the institutions and benefits those taxes provide. If you want that "ultra-freedom" then you need to be prepared to be completely independant and self-sustaining. The truth is, the ultra-freedom of pure libertarianism is not a viable way to run a society. It is just as unworkable as total communism. Take the US health care system...you don't pay alot of taxes towards it but when you suffer a stroke or something, your suddenly in for HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars. So what's worse, a system like Canadas where health care is free, but you gradually pay into it through quite high taxes (not to the extent where you can't comfortably live however), or a system where you don't pay until something happens and then suddenly you owe the government your life savings all at once. And really what are the chances you are NEVER going to use the health care system in your life? Nil. You will likely use it at least a few times, and probably many times.
The ideal is a careful balance where one can be taxed for certain essential services, but not feel like they are robbed. And people who use less services should be credited. Like an insurance premium that goes down with good driving and no accidents.
I also believe in compassionate purposes such as welfare for those with disabilities, mental impairments etc. But certainly no welfare at all for people who are capable to work but just don't feel like it.
My biggest beef is the way our taxes don't go back in society, but rather get pumped into the giant bloated machine of government, with it's ridiculously expanding number of obscure departments and useless personel. |