Quoth Cory Nott: ----- Ok, I get it. Since tariffs would be lower under your plan, we'd be saving money, so there'd be no initiation of force. Force is already initiated so it's ok to continue it to some degree. In theory, it sounds nice - I'd love to live in an environment where the only tax being paid is a 3% charge on imported goods, but I won't agree that it's not initiation of force. I just wouldn't get upset enough to fight it. -----
In fairness to libertarian advocates of a low, uniform tariff schedule, Mr. Ireland's argument is probably unique. Some libertarians who advocate the tariff are among those who don't regard the non-aggression principle as the defining characteristic of libertarianism. Others, who do embrace the non-aggression principle, admit that tariffs are in fact initiations of force. They embrace a lowered, uniform-rate tariff as an expedient interim measure which would move society in a libertarian direction by allowing elimination of much of the tax bureaucracy and constrain government to a fraction of its current size and budget. After getting that far, as Harry Browne proposed, we could all get together at the SuperDome argue whether to keep the beast alive in a pen on short rations, or just hang it from a hook, slit its throat and have a celebratory barbecue. So far as I know, Mr. Ireland is the only libertarian who spends much time in Herculean/Hegelian dialectical attempts to resolve the contradiction between coercive taxation and non-aggression. The attempt seems to stem more from a Fonzie-like aversion to admitting he is ever wrrrrrrrrrr .... wrrrrrrrrr ...... wwrroooooooong than from any actual likelihood of success. Tom Knapp ForumWebSiteAt http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Libertarian Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Libertarian/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
