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underbear1 · Jul 19, 2006, 12:24 pm

How about people having some civic pride and decide we want trained hospital staff, with the best equipment, our police and firefighters having what they need to keep our people and property safe, that we want decent roads for commerce and tourism, and we want our children getting the education they will need to compete globaly..............none of this will be funded voluntarily, so pony up your fair share and quit bitchin'!

Autolykos · Jul 19, 2006, 02:17 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Captain Chaos

So, what I am asking is, could government function by collecting taxes through donation, rather than coersion?

If it did not use initiation of force (or the threat thereof) to collect funds (or to eliminate competition), then it would cease to be a government. So I guess my answer here would be "No".

- Rob

Autolykos · Jul 19, 2006, 02:18 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Captain Chaos

I have my doubts about viability...

However.

The Red cross functions.
Humane societies function.

These organizations fulfill a roll that government would otherwise have to take. And, they do it through donation.

The problem is this. Such a method allows for free-riders. Some people will donate, because they want services. Others will not donate, because they want to use those services without paying for them.

This system essentially forces some people to pay for others.

Is that ok?

Obviously it's okay with the Red Cross and Human Societies, isn't it? There's much more to "market behavior" than the desire for profit. Man is not homo economicus. In no way would the removal of government mean that morality, ethics, esteem, etc. would cease to exist.

- Rob

Autolykos · Jul 19, 2006, 02:20 pm

Quote:

Quote by: underbear1

How about people having some civic pride [...]

"Civic pride"???? What the hell is that?!?!

I'm sorry, Underbear, but I have no such thing as "civic pride". I have no faith whatsoever in "my" government (or any other government, for that matter).

Quote:

Quote by: underbear1

and decide we want trained hospital staff, with the best equipment, our police and firefighters having what they need to keep our people and property safe, that we want decent roads for commerce and tourism, and we want our children getting the education they will need to compete globaly..............none of this will be funded voluntarily, so pony up your fair share and quit bitchin'!

Sorry again, but I will keep "bitchin'". You ain't gonna shut me up.

- Rob

Jul 19, 2006, 12:24 pm	#21 (permalink) (top)
underbear1 BANNED Posts: 2,630	How about people having some civic pride and decide we want trained hospital staff, with the best equipment, our police and firefighters having what they need to keep our people and property safe, that we want decent roads for commerce and tourism, and we want our children getting the education they will need to compete globaly..............none of this will be funded voluntarily, so pony up your fair share and quit bitchin'!