Comments on: I’ll Believe It…

By: stephentg

stephentg — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:51:53 +0000

I haven’t ALWAYS been square… man.

https://blog.speculist.com/stephen%20hippy.JPG

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:13:44 +0000

Darn those evil libertarians twisting the meaning of the word “coercion!” I hope nobody tries anything like that with the word “contract.”

Speaking as someone who is fine with the fact that the government makes us pay our taxes (ultimately) at gun point, I still think it’s legit to argue about what it is that we’re being coerced into paying for. Most everyone agrees that coercion to prevent violence and enforce contracts is okay. The question is whether coercion to create or enforce economic equality is okay.

Actually, I can even leave that question alone and ask a more basic one — is coercion used to that end effective?

By: holyspiritdenier

holyspiritdenier — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:10:55 +0000

Libertarians tend to define “coercion” is a self-serving way. They call taxation “coercion” because men with guns show up at your door for not paying your taxes; yet they don’t call it “coercion” when the same men with guns show up at your door for not paying your rent, your mortgage or your child support. (How would a landlord or banker guarantee that he gets paid money owed to him otherwise?) In both kinds of situations, the men with guns don’t initiate “coercion,” but rather enforce contracts.