Jan Helfeld - Professional Congressional Debunker

Melissa Dawson interviews Jan Helfeld from www.janhelfeld.com to discuss his famous interviews with high ranking politicians. 1.7 million people have seen Jan Helfeld's interview of Senator Harry Reid where he maintains that taxation is voluntary despite all evidence to the contrary. That video can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mRSI8yWwg

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• Jan
• helfeld
• austin
• petersen
• libertarian
• party
• ron
• paul
• austrian
• economics
• pete
• stark
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• pelosi

[HarryNRubin]

Thanks for introducing me to this interviewer, he seems like he is really good.

[LibertarianParty]

He is in the DC area and willing to help teach Libertarians how to conduct strong interviews.

[peterscottfrost]

The Libertarian Party seems to favor Jan's interview of Senator Reid where Jan argues that taxation is theft and yet the LP will not explicitly take this position. In fact, they suggest that we replace the income tax with the oxymoronic "fair" tax. It is such lack of principle on this and other issues that caused me to resign my life membership in the Libertarian Party. Their increasingly wishy-washy, pro-government positions do more harm than good. And they STILL don't get elected. It's sad.

[harryogre]

Its a sad state of affairs when someone must justifiably be afraid of angering a government official in America.

Good job Mr. Helfeld and thanks to LP for the post.

[possenti]

Jan is THE MAN. Great interview!

[JibaroTruth]

@peterscottfrost You have to think like a progressive as it will be impossible to suddenly eliminate taxes but with small changes at a time to get the desire result.

[peterscottfrost]

@PatrickLMT Just because a lot of people do something doesn't make it right. All governments are thieves. And I don't want a government. Government is coercion, nothing more.

[ExquisiteDoom]

@PatrickLMT We don't want a government at all if you're not an inconsistent libertarian philosopher. If government was so damn great that people would voluntarily donate to it why institute the IRS? Why not let people know on national TV; "Hey by the way, you don't HAVE to pay your taxes. We won't threaten you if you do not pay!"

[ExquisiteDoom]

@PatrickLMT Patrick, did you ever try not paying your taxes? Because i have a couple of friends whom could show you just how full of shit you are and they're CANADIAN. A friendly country, threatening it's own citizens for money. I agree with you the US couldn't possibly audit all the tax evaders but ask anyone what would happen to them if they didn't pay their taxes? Would the IRS hold back? Really? Are you THAT dense? Just because there is no law doesn't mean the IRS will just chill.

[D0g63rt]

@PatrickLMT

It is forced by the IRS. The IRS shows up with armed agents and they sift through your stuff and throw you out of your house. You must not have seen such a thing before, but it happens.

[ExquisiteDoom]

@PatrickLMT That's not dishonesty, when there is a clear dichotomy, and you cannot explain why it's a false dichotomy, then YOU'RE the one who's being dishonest. Just people because subcounciously realize there is violence backing legality and decide to comply not to be violated doesn't mean there is no violence. It just means they value paying a tax more than their ass in a cage. Not that i value the services from my taxes. You're rationalising.

[ExquisiteDoom]

@PatrickLMT Rationalising evils and inconsistencies are self-destructive. You're not fooling anyone but yourself. There is no way this system can survive longer than 2 decades, i hope you'll live to see the creature you people have created going out of control.

Changing the words and definitions do not change reality.

[eerik123455]

But if it's "mandatory" doesn't that mean the person not paying taxes will go to jail? Isn't that the use of force? Then wouldn't mandatory be the same thing as forced? Please explain.