Democracy

Originally posted by Wajoma
Odd that you use Bill Gates, on top of outrageous tax he pays, he donates more to charities than you could hope to in 10 lifetimes.

What he does with his after tax money is his business. If on top of taxes he decides to give away to charity is commendable but none of my business. Why should that fact allow him to have any special tax treatment?

I used Bill Gates because invariably libertarians defend themselves by claiming he donates a lot to charity. It's a Pavlovian reaction of them. The irony is that to use that as an argument is not libertarian in itself.

Originally posted by Wajoma
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner, it is not a measure of right and wrong.

then Democracy is not a good solution.

Originally posted by Palynka
What he does with his after tax money is his business. If on top of taxes he decides to give away to charity is commendable but none of my business. Why should that fact allow him to have any special tax treatment?

I used Bill Gates because invariably libertarians defend themselves by claiming he donates a lot to charity. It's a Pavlovian reaction of them. The irony is that to use that as an argument is not libertarian in itself.

Palynka Plonka, I know what libertarianism is, and also a poseur when I see one. Who is even discussing libertarianism, do you have a freedom phobia?

I was pointing out that the popular vote does not automatically qualify this or that policy as right, true or moral. Taking more money from someone just because you think that they can afford it is neither right or moral. Utility this, utility that...some wealthy people put a higher value on a dollar than less wealthy folk. What it comes down to is envy, punishing people for being successful.

How gummint is decided is not a libertarian concern, democracy looks like the best of a bad bunch, what does matter is limiting the power of gummint so they cannot buy the popular vote with other peoples money, or gain support from big business by granting favours they have no right to grant.

A benevolent dictator tied by a strong constitution is vastly preferable to unlimited democracy. What does it mean to have majority rule? It means minority rights are threatened, and the smallest minority of all is the individual.