So why don’t you use “as a state” instead of “as a society”, since you’re not talking about just any society? Or are you equating “society” with “state”? If so, why?
Quite aside from the above, why are you using “as a society”/“as a state” as your ethical justification? Why must we all agree with something being (more) moral just because a presumed majority thinks so?
Finally, why should we care whether there’s “enough money” for things like an army?
tax is theft.
Secondly, it depends on defintion of fair. Everyone is taxed the same, but every cent counts for someone in poverty. Would it be more fair for someone rich to pay it because it affects their wellbeing less?
Also, anyone with an internet access (and credit card) can buy something for$30 at amazon and get it shipped for free, cheaper + no tax.
bottomline, tax=theft=not fair.
When you try to justify the unjustifiable, you end up with many exceptions, rules, regulations, etc…
VAT is a terrible tax Etjon. See my recent post in Ideas on Liberty. It has the following effects:
Raises prices in long-term
Reduces wages and rents
Discourages production (well, all taxes do this)
Discourages competition because it induces firms to merge vertically
It can’t be passed onto consumers (the way most people think), it must be “sent back” to the factors of production. E.g. If in a cinema ticket it’s written that $1.00 covers a “price” of 85 cents and a VAT of 15 cents, then 85 is NOT the price, $1.00 is! 85 cents is just the profit that the business accrues. Consumers only deal with the effects of the tax in the long-term through higher prices, but it’s ultimately wage- and rent-earners who pay for it.
There is a good reason that the tax system is so complicated. Part of it is to hide the true total cost by dividing the total into smaller charges applied in separate conditions.
Caley, So what is your suggestion for a tax system? Do you see anything wrong with UET?
If we absolutely have to be taxed, I’d prefer a state-rate tax where each state is taxed based upon their representation in the House of Representatives. The more centralized tax policy and tax collection is, the worse it becomes.
My suggestion is to have the tax collector come to your house in a nice suit and expensive car with two muscular men, also in nice suits, but carrying baseball bats. As long as they collect the same amount from everyone, it’s fair.