|
|
|
|
Saturday, after asserting
that a “fair” tax is a mirage, I concluded by supporting services
funded entirely through user fees (instead of taxes) whenever possible
. Now you may think that an anarchist would make no distinction
between taxes and user fees. After all, it is still money going to
government and government is what anarchists want to see disappear.
And at that level, you’d be absolutely right. But I’m taking the
long view about how to transition from government to entirely
voluntary, cooperative associations (a/k/a anarchism).
“Fee for service” is very consistent with anarchist principles because it is the first, albeit baby, step to…competition. We have seen how government transitioned from directly providing garbage services, for example, to using a private provider. Yet, there is still a single provider and government still decides who that provider is. But that can change too…. Just as UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. provide a free market alternative to the Post Office, why not garbage service from a provider you choose if it is funded by a user fee? Why not just cut out the government as “middleman” and cut out some “middleman” costs? The idea that only one entity (whether government or private) can provide efficient, low cost service is an exception, not the rule. While there are “natural monopolies” when the infrastructure or other initial investment is very high, the government has a monopoly on all services and they don’t all qualify as natural monopolies. So why is that we have no choice? With services funded by user fees, the next logical step is for us to choose a provider from among various private firms just as you can choose between the Postal Service, UPS, FedEx, DHL, et. al. to deliver that package. That is how we whittle away government to essential, natural monopoly services. (And if government believes it can provide the best service at the best price, let it submit its bid for my business!) Maybe the cost savings from a private “fee for service” provider of my choice wouldn’t be that much, if any. But at least I’d have a choice! If I didn’t care for the provider, I could find another one. Would you like having McDonald’s as the only burger place in town? Then why accept just the government’s burgers? Choice empowers consumers, and we are consumers of government services. Monopolies don’t need to offer choice or customer service. And government is the biggest monopoly….let’s break it up! Don’t you deserve a choice today? Try something else besides McGovernment! If you’re thinking of even partially agreeing with me, then your inner anarchist may be awakening…lol! |
"taxes are the price we pay for living in a civilized society"...did you know that this phrase is atop the IRS building entrance in DC?
"let's find something to spend it on"...because normally no one gets re-elected for NOT spending, but for bringing home the pork!
I don't know if it's still available, and there's probably not a comparable list this year, but when Crist first took office, he line-item vetoed all sorts of pork projects, including a $1 million I believe) one for some sort of rowing program in South Florida. (The Democrat should publish all the pork projects every year so taxpayers can see what the "common good" is often defined as for many legislators.)
"Uh oh, I partially agree with you. I fear for my future"...LOL! I will confess NOW that my first Presidential vote (1972) was for McGovern! I also supported Gene McCarthy. I've come a long way...LOL!
BTW, did you know the Supreme Court initially declared the federal income tax unconstitutional? Which is why there is a constitutional amendment for it.