Salon Losing Mind Over Paul's 'Taxation = Slavery' Comments

[AuH20]

Why do we work? To generate income.
How do we generate income? By devoting our precious time.
Our time is limited and cannot be recouped.
Then why should we contribute a fair share of our time or life essence to the federal government?
Could this perverse relationship not be construed as a form of bondage?

Well, Salon vehemently disagrees.

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/07/ran...er_why_his_slavery_nonsense_is_so_outrageous/

This is a dumb argument. And it’s upsetting to hear this dumb argument coming from someone who is trying to be president, but will go back to writing and approving legislation if/when that doesn’t work out. Taxation is not tantamount to slavery. The only thing that’s comparable to slavery is actual slavery. You might not like it that a portion of your paycheck is sent to the feds and your state government, and you may disagree with how your tax dollars are spent, but that is in no way comparable to being kept in bondage and having the fruits of your labor stolen from you.

Any way you look at this argument, it’s bad. When you’ve staked out the position that your effective tax rate is how you measure one’s slave status, then you’re arguing that a progressive tax structure means rich people are less free than the lucky poor folks who would see a smaller percentage of their income go to the government. By this reading, a hedge fund billionaire who moves his assets offshore to avoid paying taxes is basically Frederick Douglass. And when you refer to something as slavery, how can you then make the case that there is an acceptable threshold for it? Why should 14.5 percent slavery be any more tolerable than 100 percent slavery?

 

[Origanalist]

You might not like it that a portion of your paycheck is sent to the feds and your state government, and you may disagree with how your tax dollars are spent, but that is in no way comparable to being kept in bondage and having the fruits of your labor stolen from you.

 

[Sola_Fide]

They never disproved the argument, they just called it "dumb".

 

[dude58677]

There is no law making you liable for income tax.

There is no law requiring you to pay income tax.

You have a full right to self assessment under the ninth amendment to the Constitution.

Only corporate profits are income.

There are many work-under-the-table jobs.

Bitcoin and gold allows untraceable transactions.

The Oathkeepers are capable and willing to back you up as a very last resort.

 

[angelatc]

You might not like it that a portion of your paycheck is sent to the feds and your state government, and you may disagree with how your tax dollars are spent, but that is in no way comparable to being kept in bondage and having the fruits of your labor stolen from you.

Wait - wot?

ETA - Reading the comments over there makes me want to hang myself. Liberals are the most self-righteous arrogant pricks on the planet.

 

[EBounding]

He should probably call taxes theft instead. The optics of calling it slavery distracts from the point he needs to make: his tax plan will save you thousands of dollars every year.

 

[AuH20]

He should probably call taxes theft instead. The optics of calling it slavery distracts from the point he needs to make: his tax plan will save you thousands of dollars every year.

Well, the dictionary seems to agree with Rand, regardless of the recent historical connotation.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/slavery

1. thralldom, enthrallment. Slavery, bondage, servitude refer to involuntary subjection to another or others. Slavery emphasizes the idea of complete ownership and control by a master: to be sold into slavery. Bondage indicates a state of subjugation or captivity often involving burdensome and degrading labor: in bondage to a cruel master. Servitude is compulsory service, often such as is required by a legal penalty: penal servitude. 4. moil, labor.

 

[Origanalist]

Wait - wot?

ETA - Reading the comments over there makes me want to hang myself. Liberals are the most self-righteous arrogant pricks on the planet.

Ugh, you actually read the comments there? Quick, go watch a Ron Paul video or the psychological damage might be permanent.

 

[EBounding]

Well, the dictionary seems to agree with Rand.

Well yeah, of course. But media operatives are going to tell voters that he's diminishing the struggle of slavery by comparing it to a TurboTax return. Doesn't seem like a fight that's worth having.

 

[timosman]

Well, the dictionary seems to agree with Rand, regardless of the recent historical connotation.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/slavery

When did logic enter the equation ? /s

 

[juleswin]

They have a point in calling him out on that statement. My other problem is that with his line of thinking, he by his definition supports slavery. He talks all the time about the functions of govt and how he is not in favor of abolishing govt, mind you we are talking about same govt that is supported on slavery. He also talks about how he wants to fund the Kurds with weapons paid for by slaves and so on. The only people who should be talking like this are people who actually support abolishing the slavery not people who are in favor of perpetuating it.

I would stop with that radical talk if I was him.

 

[hells_unicorn]

They never disproved the argument, they just called it "dumb".

This could describe every single political piece ever put up on Salon's website.

 

[dude58677]

I can only imagine what they would have said if Irwin Schiff ran for the Republican Party and gets up on stage and says all the things I mentioned above.

 

[Occam's Banana]

They have a point in calling him out on that statement.

Somewhat. The problem with the slavery analogy is that taxpayers are not being forced to work against their wills.

It would be much more accurate to call it "theft" - because that is exactly what taxation is (no analogies needed).

However, I am sure the bloviating gasbags at Salon don't give a damn about such niceties. They just want to trash Rand, and this is a convenient excuse to do so ...

My other problem is that with his line of thinking, he by his definition supports slavery. He talks all the time about the functions of govt and how he is not in favor of abolishing govt, mind you we are talking about same govt that is supported on slavery. He also talks about how he wants to fund the Kurds with weapons paid for by slaves and so on. The only people who should be talking like this are people who actually support abolishing the slavery not people who are in favor of perpetuating it.

Agreed. You don't get to have it both ways.

I would stop with that radical talk if I was him.

On the contrary, I would keep going with that radical talk if I was him.

What I would put a stop to is the hypocrtical stuff - like talking about wanting to "enslave" (or, actually, rob) people by "only" 14.5% ...

 

[dude58677]

Taxes are armed robbery esp when you are not required and liable to pay them.

 

[CPUd]

Taxes are armed robbery esp when you are not required and liable to pay them.

This is TP/sovcit nonsense, and you will lose everything you have + end up in jail if you actually try to follow through on it.

 

[dude58677]

This is TP/sovcit nonsense, and you will lose everything you have + end up in jail if you actually try to follow through on it.

Not when you have the Oathkeepers to back you up and only use them as a last resort. Things have changed because of Cliven Bundy. Someone shouldn't take them off the table as a way to defend themselves. It isn't hard to find employment under the table. Ron Paul said the underground economy is the real economy.

 

[AuH20]

Ugh.

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a36240/rand-paul-taxes/

 

[dude58677]

Ugh.

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a36240/rand-paul-taxes/

Why do you take a left wing article regarding taxes seriously?

 

[AuH20]

Why do you take a left wing article regarding taxes seriously?

I mistakenly thought there would be more there.