The modern day prison system

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
No, what I am saying is that the most rational thing rich people can do with their excess money is collectively give (a large part of) it to government since they cannot spend it on anything other than positional goods. Stealing is unlawfully taking someone's property, if something is the law it cannot possibly be stealing (just like abortion cannot be murder unless the law says so).

And if they irrationally (in your mind) decide not to "give" it over you take it by force. The legality of it has nothing to do with the morality of it. Give me your furniture. I want it.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
No, as I explained before better redistribution of wealth results in lower crime. And no, that's no justification of crime.

Redistrubution of wealth is reasonable as it results in a net wealth gain.

Are you gonna give criminals money in order to make them stop stealing it by force?

Stealing is stealing, what is mine is not yours, you don't have the right to take it away and give it to my neighbor because he's more unfortunate than me.

Originally posted by dryhump
I believe what KN is saying is that because rich people don't need the money, it is okay to take it from them. What I don't understand is how that isn't a justification for stealing.

He thinks that if you pay criminals to stop robbing banks it will make society better.

Originally posted by generalissimo
He thinks that if you pay criminals to stop robbing banks it will make society better.

How much do you think they'd pay me to Not rob a bank? Sounds like a good deal.

GRANNY.

Originally posted by smw6869
How much do you think they'd pay me to Not rob a bank? Sounds like a good deal.

GRANNY.

Nah. It's only about $13 bucks a week.

Originally posted by Sleepyguy
Nah. It's only about $13 bucks a week.

I would think if i stopped killing people it might be worth another $15 a week. And what about pissing in public?

GRANNY.

Originally posted by smw6869
And what about pissing in public?

Well the liberals are in charge now so I think that would be considered performance art. Maybe you can get a grant to help develop your talents in this area. Hell, read the stimulus bill. It might be in there already!

Originally posted by dryhump
So, now you are justifying the theft by claiming that a law makes it okay? There used to be no law against buying and selling human beings. Was that okay?

No, I'm saying that whether it's okay or not has nothing to do with whether it's theft or not.

Originally posted by generalissimo
Are you gonna give criminals money in order to make them stop stealing it by force?

Stealing is stealing, what is mine is not yours, you don't have the right to take it away and give it to my neighbor because he's more unfortunate than me.

No, by redistributing wealth the likelihood that a non-criminal will turn into a criminal is reduced. Apparently this concept is extremely difficult to grasp.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
No, I'm saying that whether it's okay or not has nothing to do with whether it's theft or not.

What? Here's a hint. Theft is not OK.

Originally posted by Sleepyguy
What? Here's a hint. Theft is not OK.

You don't understand. If perfectly acceptable things are classified as theft, then theft is okay for those things. I'm just pointing out the argument is circular.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
No, by redistributing wealth the likelihood that a non-criminal will turn into a criminal is reduced. Apparently this concept is extremely difficult to grasp.

Taking people's property by force reduces freedom. Apparently this concept is extremely difficult to grasp, for you.

Originally posted by Sleepyguy
Taking people's property by force reduces freedom. Apparently this concept is extremely difficult to grasp, for you.

Having no taxes does not make a society more free. Apparently this concept is extremely difficult to grasp for libertarians.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
You don't understand. If perfectly acceptable things are classified as theft, [b]then theft is okay for those things. I'm just pointing out the argument is circular.[/b]

This is about the most idiotic thing I've ever read. It isn't perfectly acceptable no matter what you call it. I'm done. Blither away if you must.

Originally posted by Sleepyguy
This is about the most idiotic thing I've ever read. It isn't perfectly acceptable no matter what you call it. I'm done. Blither away if you must.

If you classify drinking a cup of coffee as theft, is drinking a cup of coffee wrong?

Why don't you understand the argument is circular?

There is a certain amount of taxation, which you believe is not theft, assuming you're not an anarchist. I propose raising the taxes, but you oppose because it is theft. These two things are not compatible. Either all forms of taxation are theft, or none are.