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To: sourcery
Anyone who pays $50,000 a year in taxes, makes a heck of a lot more than I do, can buy just about anything they want (unless they are living beyond their means).

What is it paying taxes is keeping you from getting?

56 posted on 04/16/2002 7:24:03 PM PDT by philetus
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To: philetus
Anyone who pays $50,000 a year in taxes, makes a heck of a lot more than I do, can buy just about anything they want (unless they are living beyond their means).

What is your point? Is it okay to steal from someone if they have more than you?

What is it paying taxes is keeping you from getting?

Peace of mind?

62 posted on 04/16/2002 8:15:02 PM PDT by timm22
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To: philetus

First They Came for the Jews

and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemöller

Morality functions according to the principle of cooperation towards achieving a common goal. The motivation to live according to moral principles is that doing so maximizes an individual’s ability to achieve his goals without interference from others. The purpose of a moral code is to establish the terms of a common agreement to cooperate towards the achievement of the one goal we all have equally: the free exercise of our will. The opportunity to achieve our goals is significantly enhanced if others agree to rules that specify the conditions under which they will not actively interfere with the free exercise of our will. Of course, others will have no reciprocal motivation to respect such rules in our favor, if we have the reputation of not respecting the rules that are in their favor. So rational morality is motivated by rational self-interest, because of the common goal of freedom, the power of cooperation, and the principle of reciprocity.

Reciprocity is why it is not in anyone's self-interest to either permit another to deprive him of his rights, or to let anyone else's rights be deprived: because respect for the rights of each individual depends upon respect for the rights of all. Rights therefore require reciprocal respect for the rights of others. Reciprocal respect for the rights of others requires trust. And trust requires predictability of behavior and a reputation of commitment to moral principles—especially in extreme situations.

72 posted on 04/16/2002 10:34:30 PM PDT by sourcery
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To: philetus
Lovely--introducing class warfare into the argument? What makes you think a dollar is worth any less to the poster than to you? That's called an "interpersonal utility comparison," and it's a bogus argument.

What are some things that paying $50k in taxes could keep you from doing? Oh, tithing, starting a new business and thus creating jobs, building a new house, buying cars, large endowments to charity...pretty much anything that $50k will buy.

88 posted on 04/17/2002 12:50:55 PM PDT by dinodino
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