The State versus the Highwayman - Lysander Spooner

"It is true that the theory of our Constitution is, that all taxes are paid voluntarily; that our government is a mutual insurance company, voluntarily entered into by the people with each other.

[...]

But this theory of our government is wholly different from the practical fact. The fact is that the government, like a highwayman, says to a man: "Your money, or your life." And many, if not most, taxes are paid under the compulsion of that threat.

The government does not, indeed, waylay a man in a lonely place, spring upon him from the roadside, and, holding a pistol to his head, proceed to rifle his pockets. But the robbery is none the less a robbery on that account; and it is far more dastardly and shameful.

The highwayman takes solely upon himself the responsibility, danger, and crime of his own act. He does not pretend that he has any rightful claim to your money, or that he intends to use it for your own benefit. He does not pretend to be anything but a robber. He has not acquired impudence enough to profess to be merely a "protector," and that he takes men's money against their will, merely to enable him to "protect" those infatuated travellers, who feel perfectly able to protect themselves, or do not appreciate his peculiar system of protection. He is too sensible a man to make such professions as these. Furthermore, having taken your money, he leaves you, as you wish him to do. He does not persist in following you on the road, against your will; assuming to be your rightful "sovereign," on account of the "protection" he affords you. He does not keep "protecting" you, by commanding you to bow down and serve him; by requiring you to do this, and forbidding you to do that; by robbing you of more money as often as he finds it for his interest or pleasure to do so; and by branding you as a rebel, a traitor, and an enemy to your country, and shooting you down without mercy, if you dispute his authority, or resist his demands. He is too much of a gentleman to be guilty of such impostures, and insults, and villainies as these. In short, he does not, in addition to robbing you, attempt to make you either his dupe or his slave."

Credit to Mises Institute Media for the audio of this video. Source:
http://mises.org/media/2105/22-The-Nature-of-the-State [19:57]

Read the original quote from Lysander Spooner's "No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority":
http://praxeology.net/LS-NT-6.htm

Listen to the audiobook:
http://mises.org/media/category/238/No-Treason-The-Constitution-of-No-Authority

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[Akatam0t0ma]

This video got featured on Andrew Napolitano's official Facebook page(Or at least, I think it's the official, not 100% sure). Awesome! :-D

[StatelessLiberty]

@Akatam0t0ma I just checked and you're right! Thanks for pointing this out to me.

[SleepinCougar]

Your free to vote against all those taxes, and if enough people vote to cut spending and taxes... they will be cut. Unfortunately most people don't really want to see most spending cut... which means that it's the very nature of our Republic that prevents us from really downsizing government. Government is a tool of the people who wield it either for or against the people, it's high time we wake up and take it back from Wall Street.

[StatelessLiberty]

@SleepinCougar Voting doesn't really change anything. Your vote only affects government policy if there is a tie, but there hasn't ever been a tie in a democratic election, nor could there ever be since the odds are so small. And even if the outcome of a vote could be affected, you are still the property of the state and everyone else who participates in the vote.

[intercourseman69]

The state and it's subjects are all part of one enormously long BDSM porn film.

"You are going to be my bitch and you're gonna love it. C'mon slave, who protects you and provides you essential services no one else can?"

"You do."

-Felony conviction

"Sorry, you do, what?"

"You do, my benevolent overlords."

"There, that's a good piece of tax livestock. I'll create a tax loop hole for you after I've had my way with all of your holes."

[StatelessLiberty]

@intercourseman69 LOL!!

[starsassy]

Taxation is theft and slavery.

[Shellshock1918]

I wish I could favorite this twice.

[PanzerDivisionBOM]

@SleepinCougar

It's not that simple. Democracy is rife with conflicts of interest and problems of rationality. People make bad decisions through the state that they would never have made on their own, and enthusiastically support by proxy that which, when considered on its own merit, they would recognize as despicable. It makes people incapable and shortsighted. And the Public Interest Paradox virtually ensures that the state will continue to grow.

[brothab06]

@StatelessLiberty Voting in 14th Amendment elections is a crime per Section 2 of said evil amendment. For more information Google "The Red Amendment" or visit pacinlaw (dot)(org).