lucash.dev on Nostr: Most of the popular support for taxation comes from people falling for the ludicrous ...
Most of the popular support for taxation comes from people falling for the ludicrous trick of believing taxes are mostly paid by “them” (which most people believe doesn’t include themselves) for the benefit of “us” (which people are convinced include themselves).
Of course that’s almost never the case.
Taxes are paid by most people to the benefit of few in high positions who then sometimes spend a tiny portion of it buying the support of the population while the rest is simply for the benefit of the powerful and their entourage.
In ancient times people at least didn’t pretend otherwise. Taxes were imposed on those either defeated in battle or who begged for protection.
It was something the strong imposed on the weak — and while many claimed it was justified, nobody pretended it was the other way around.
Taxes are always to benefit the strong — those who are literally strong or have more and bigger guns.
You might make arrangements that incentivize the gun-people to give a little of it back to the general population, but that’s it.
No voting or court can change the nature of things.
Of course that’s almost never the case.
Taxes are paid by most people to the benefit of few in high positions who then sometimes spend a tiny portion of it buying the support of the population while the rest is simply for the benefit of the powerful and their entourage.
In ancient times people at least didn’t pretend otherwise. Taxes were imposed on those either defeated in battle or who begged for protection.
It was something the strong imposed on the weak — and while many claimed it was justified, nobody pretended it was the other way around.
Taxes are always to benefit the strong — those who are literally strong or have more and bigger guns.
You might make arrangements that incentivize the gun-people to give a little of it back to the general population, but that’s it.
No voting or court can change the nature of things.