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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
Starting from the minor detail that something like 40% of my working life is taken from me (total taxation) without my agreement, which I think is the same as involuntary servitude. This involuntary servitude pays in part the six figure salaries and guaranteed lifetime benefits of people like Barabara Boxer, whom I loathe, etc. etc. etc. Do I have a choice? Nope.
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I already knew you'd say taxes. I don't think taxes are unreasonable. If you don't want to live in a society with taxes, go start your own.
Continuing with that theme:
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- Subject to conscription as the government deems necessary. Means the state has primary claim over the disposition of my life. Betcha some wars might have turned out differently if there wasn't a draft, say like Viet Nam. (Nationally) No we don't have a draft, but they reserve the "right".
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I asked about things that impact you on a daily basis. This doesn't. You haven't been drafted and likely never will.
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- Subject to jury service. Not as serious as conscripted military service, but nonetheless is a gun to the head to work for the state . . . directly. Necessary? No. This was recently a giant PITA for my wife. What the fu*k do they care. Obey or else. (Nationally)
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I've been to jury duty 6 times in the last 10 years. While it is a pain in the ass, it's necessary for our legal system. What's your better idea? Do you want to have professional jurors paid for by your tax dollars? Of course not, then you'd just be complaining about that. So how would you actually address this?
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- I can drink myself to death, but if I get caught buying pot, I'm in trouble. (Punishments vary. CA may defy the Feds on this. Yeah!)
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This one is stupid and will change during the next state election. Besides, my friend who is a cop told me they won't arrest you for it unless you have a large amount. Do you advocate all drugs should be legal?
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- The SCOTUS has ruled Police are not responsible for protecting me from criminals. But hey look, in CA I can't carry a concealed weapon to protect myself, especially in the most dangerous counties. (Worst in CA, but mostly national.)
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You can open carry. Go ahead and do it. Why does it need to be concealed? If I saw you with a gun hanging out I'd for sure know not to mess with you.
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- Unlike Europe, I can't buy fu*king cheese made with whole milk, because some booger eater needs to save the public from the scourge of whole milk. (Nationally)
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I honestly have no idea on this one. I'll have to research to see why it is.
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- If I'm terminally ill and would like to take a treatment available in foreign countries, but not yet admitted by the FDA, they would prefer that I die. This has happened to more than one. What do they care. They're saving the public. Who cares about you. (Nationally)
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Again, another thing that DOES NOT affect you daily. The FDA is necessary because it turns out you can't just give drugs to people without testing the effects first. If you want to go to the other country to have the treatment you have the right to do so.
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- The PO has pissed me off a couple times with their poor service for our business. Do I have a choice for first class mail? No. Why? Because the government says so that's why. (Nationally)
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The Postal Services loses money. It's a problem. I'll grant you this one.
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- I can't install a Roots or Twin Screw blower on my LSx, because the manufacturers haven't paid appropriate homage. (CA)
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Nobody got the kit approved because it's a pain in the ass on the Camaro. You had to lower the K-member to get it to work. You have other options.
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- I'm told what currency I must use in business transactions. If I prefer another currency or commodities, etc., I'm not permitted. (Nationally)
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Not being able to accept euros must be a real burden in your life? How about get the dollars and then go to a currency exchange place and change them if you want. Perfectly legal.
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
These are things that have, do, or plausibly may effect ME directly and personally. A short list, off the top of my head.
- Let's say you're poor, but *own* some property passed to you in your family. You can't pay the property taxes. Howdy. Now you learn who really owns all property. The government (who actually doesn't care about people despite their rhetoric, especially when it comes to collecting revenues) will kick your ass right off your land because your peasant ass couldn't pay homage.
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I've seen hundreds of people fall behind on property taxes during my time at the credit union. Not once has the government taken their property. It almost always ends up with a tax lien against the property, but the person is still living their.
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Originally Posted by Vettezuki
- Let's say you live in an area your government would like to develop (you know, to increase the tax base). Hello eminent domain! Even if you did *own* your land AND paid homage, they'd prefer to have your property. Time to move pumpkin.
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Eminent Domain is tough. I often times don't necessarily agree with it. Let me know when if affects you though.
Overall you have produced a very limited list. Besides taxes the worst things you can say about the government are:
-they could draft you (even though they haven't and most likely never will)
-you have to go to jury duty maybe once a year
-you can't carry a concealed weapon (but can open carry)
-you can't buy pot (even though obtaining a card is easy and then you could)
-the damn FDA won't let you take untested drugs
-the postal service occasionally botches something
-you could only put on a tt kit or centrifugal blower, but not a roots
-they could take your property if you don't pay property taxes (but would probably just lien you)
-Eminent Domain could take your property someday, which again will 99.9% probably never happen
Oh, and you can't buy whole cheese.
These really don't seem like that big of a deal I have to say. It also seems things that do affect you on a daily basis like having paved roads, clean air, water, etc are a much bigger positives than not being able to buy whole cheese. The government is NOT that bad and really this just proves to me that it really doesn't impede you much.