Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site topaz.ARPA
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!topaz!josh
From: josh@topaz.ARPA (J Storrs Hall)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: freedom and taxes: Reply to  JoSH
Message-ID: <460@topaz.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 31-Jan-85 05:57:26 EST
Article-I.D.: topaz.460
Posted: Thu Jan 31 05:57:26 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 2-Feb-85 00:23:43 EST
References: <630@wucs.UUCP> <452@whuxl.UUCP> <421@topaz.ARPA> <459@whuxl.UUCP>
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
Lines: 30


In an earlier message, I replied to Sevener:
>> I think this is a straw man.  Libertarians don't value "freedom" in
>> the abstract, general sense: They value freedom from coercion
>> (specifically, government coercion).  Otherwise they would agitate
>> for all kinds of "free" services from the government like the socialists.

And Sevener replied in his turn:
> Just how *is* taxation a restriction of one's freedom any different than
> paying for bread in the grocery store? 

Now I claim that this is just about as good a proof as one could
ask for that Sevener either (a) did not read, or (b) cannot understand
what I said.  

> It is up
> to Libertarian attackers of taxation to prove that it in any way
> reduces people's freedom in anything other than economic terms.

If you absolutely insist:  Let us suppose that the IRS agent instead 
of taking your money, comes to your home and rapes you, taking only
an hour of your time and doing no permanent physical damage.  Outside
of that one hour (which you would have spent filling out forms),
how has you "freedom been reduced"?  How then can libertarians
oppose it?  The answer:  It is a VIOLATION of your RIGHTS to do something
to you by force that you do not want done.  

Mr. Sevener does not appear to understand any of these concepts.

--JoSH