If each of us were to draw up a list of what we want our tax dollars spent on, and what we DON'T want them spent on, there would probably not be any two identical lists. We all have different priorities.


There's another reason for taxpayer reluctance to pay more taxes (aside from not wanting to part with our hard earned dollars), and that's what we perceive as irresponsible spending of our taxes by the politicians. Some have tried to make a partisan issue of this, but as far as I'm concerned, both of the major parties have shown a great lack of fiscal restraint, in their own ways. I could write an entire essay on that issue, so I'll just leave it at that for now.

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January 20, 2009 - The end of an error.

Libertarians are not anarchists I do not think any libertarian has a problem with those things, except education.

Again it is not anarchism. They see the need for government, small government. To have government you need taxes. So that is completely incorrect.

We do want taxes, the taxes should be much lower because spending should be much lower. Many of us also want to switch the form of collection.

I own up that I have, on occassion, expressed that I think the Libertarian philosophy is "self-centered". While it is more of an indictment of the philosophy itself, it's not AS directed towards the individual (if I fail to generally make that clear, that is my fault, and I apologize for it.)

But, most often in discussions, the folks espousing Libertarianism express things as "me-me-me": "Why should I have to do X?", as if those that are disagreeing with them formulate policy specifically to punish an individual.

Yes, I do think there is an element of egocentrism and haughty individualism to the Libertarian philosophy, as I understand it. Things are generally expressed in terms of MY RIGHTS, with little acknowledgment of society at large or responsibility to others, hence my opinion of selfishness. There's very little in Libertarianism that defines a "public good". In that, anyone with a more collectivistic philosophy is going to be fundamentally repulsed.

And, perhaps, I am conflating people's personal philosophy, with a more formal "definition" of Libertarianism.

Again, I apologize if the terms "selfish", self-centered" or "greedy" are poorly chosen.

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This is what happens when we have panderers instead of leaders...

I have also heard the arguement of "whay should I have to pay..." and other such things that are centered around one's self. But I think those cases are more of individuals than of the philosophy.

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Set your destination with your heart, get there with your mind.

"The wisest men follow their own direction." - Euripides

That is just a person. Libertarianism says "why should others have to pay for that?". It is individualist, that is fine. Being individualist is not greedy. We see very little responsibility to society for anyone. Those terms just do not fit libertarianism, although they may fit for some individuals that are libertarian. Just as they would fit for some that are in other philosophies.

Exactly, or that could just be poor wording of an underlying libertarian belief. "Why should anyone have to pay..."

I typically take it to mean "why should anyone who doesn't want/use it have to pay..."

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Set your destination with your heart, get there with your mind.

"The wisest men follow their own direction." - Euripides

That pretty much covers it.