by Tyler_JC » Sat 02 Jan 2010, 19:30:35
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pretorian', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mattduke', ' ')Let's kill the rich and steal their property!
Steal? When you steal your victim is alive and unthreatened. When its dead its more like an expropriation. Anyways do dead people have property rights? Really?
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mattduke', ' ')If we all vote to do it then it's ok!
it would be democratic, yes
Democracy shouldn't mean tyranny of the majority.
If 51% of Germans vote to kill all of the Jews and steal their property, does that make it acceptable?
What if 95% of Germans vote to do this? 99%? 99.99%?
Godwin's Law doesn't apply here because this
is a valid comparison. People often vote themselves tyrants. The tyranny that results from their votes is immoral and unacceptable. We can't excuse this tyranny just because it's "what the people wanted". If you don't like the example of Nazi Germany, take a look at Mugagbe's Zimbabwe or Putin's Russia. Both leaders are powerful, popular, and horrible. Yet, they were democratically elected and would win in a landslide in any fair election held today or any day. Does that make it okay?
There are certain moral laws that exist outside of democracy.
With regards to the estate tax in general. I recognize that the federal government needs revenue. I also recognize that every tax has a negative impact on the economy and society in general.
Thus, we must find means of funding the necessary functions of the state (military defense, courts of law, street lights, etc.) while doing the least damage.
Taking some of the Walton's estate seems like a non-distorting way of doing this.
We don't get to choose between "Death Tax" or "No Death Tax". We have to replace the revenue somehow. Especially when we're looking at trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see.
by rangerone314 » Mon 04 Jan 2010, 12:13:28
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', 'M')y goodness, the love of money truly knows no bounds.
I have no problem with the sick and elderly planning their estates as they choose (though traveling to Holland for tax-related euthanasia is really disturbing). The problem I have here is the ominous prospect of what happens a year from now as the tax comes back into effect -- we're going to have people pulling the plug on grandma just to save on taxes.
Wow...
Thailand is known for having "sex tourists". I suppose maybe Holland may become known for having "death tourists".
An ideology is by definition not a search for TRUTH-but a search for PROOF that its point of view is right
Equals barter and negotiate-people with power just take
You cant defend freedom by eliminating it-unknown
Our elected reps should wear sponsor patches on their suits so we know who they represent-like Nascar-Roy
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by Pretorian » Mon 04 Jan 2010, 13:55:40
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Cloud9', 'T')he immoral thing to do is to put a gun to my head and force me to donate.
Nobody has done that to you. Nobody will.
well actually they do it all the time, how do you think these bills are paid if not through his taxes? He is not forced to pay taxes? Well, not with a gun to his head of course, what would be a better hyperbole for a prison... oh I already know , but I'll guess I better skip the anatomy.
by MathMurderer » Mon 04 Jan 2010, 20:33:44
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Cloud9', 'T')o alter this government, I am voting against every sitting incumbent. If we all do that, change will take place.
Most incumbents have either a (D) or an (R) next to their name. If you and most other Americans vote for the candidate from the other major party, then you'll get a new set of elected officials, but they'll still be composed overwhelmingly by Democrats and Republicans. I personally wouldn't expect much change in that scenario.
If you want real change in politics you'll probably have to vote for independents and candidates from small parties. But a word of caution needs to be added here as well. In such a scenario you'll get a good number of very capable and decent people, but you'll also get more than a fair share of dangerous nutjobs. This is a risk that I would be willing to take, but some of the consequences would probably be undesirable.
||\\ .. //|| ||\\ .. //|| There is nothing left in my right brain.
||. \\// .|| ||. \\// .|| There is nothing right in my left brain.
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