Is anyone here receiving a govt. pension, social security or support payments from govt?

[jbauer]

Everyone gets something from the state. You get it in the form of subsidies either direct or indirect. We are spending what 40% more then what we're taking in? Everyone is getting some bennifit from those dollars that were created out of nothing. Even if you don't see it show up in your checking account.

As for direct payments from the government and whether they should be changed? I think we all need to suffer equally for our transgresions.

[jbauer]

I receive nothing from the state. All I get is my income stolen from me.

No roads, no police, no fire fighter, no water/gas/electric lines, no groceries, hospitals, etc etc etc. We're all getting something from "the system". You're welcome to argue if you're getting back your fair share but we're all getting something.

[erowe1]

Everyone is getting some benefit from those dollars that were created out of nothing.

No, that is the opposite of how it works.

Those dollars that are created out of nothing don't come with things to buy that also come from nothing. All the goods, services, and so on that exist with those dollars would exist without them (or, more likely, some even better arrangement of goods and services would). They would just have smaller price tags. What these dollars created out of nothing result in is that a greater portion of all the existing goods and services are getting allocated by the government than would be otherwise.

[heavenlyboy34]

No roads, no police, no fire fighter, no water/gas/electric lines, no groceries, hospitals, etc etc etc. We're all getting something from "the system". You're welcome to argue if you're getting back your fair share but we're all getting something.

Yay, the "public goods" fallacy again!

[jbauer]

Yay, the "public goods" fallacy again!

Public good or not. Everyone benifits in some form or fasion from our government existing even if those "dollars" could be better allocated or used by an individual. Every dollar you pay into taxes doesn't just poof into nothing (although most do).

[cbc58]

No, that is the opposite of how it works.

No, that is how it has worked. You are confusing idealist economics (what could/should have happened
) vs. the reality of what has actually transpired. Jbauer is right IMHO

[majinkoola]

I don't get any benefits, and I stopped teaching as soon as I could get another job, mainly because I didn't feel right taking money from the state.

I see no problem with other people taking money from the state. What I do have a problem with, and it really annoys me on this board, is when SS/Medicare recipients support continuing the system because they paid in. That is nonsense. Money is being stolen from me to pay for that right now. So take the money if it's there, but support ending it now.

[Aeroneous]

I get payments from my GI Bill and disability payments from the VA for a service-connected disability. Can I live without either of these benefits? Easily.

I'm sure many people on this forum will disagree with me and think that I shouldn't continue to accept this money from the state, but here's my philosophy:

I pay thousands upon thousands of dollars each year in taxes to a government that is misappropriating my funds and engaging in unconstitutional wars. Our true voices in government have been stifled, and it's rare that we see any form of "fair" election at the federal level. Since the government isn't using my funds appropriately and I don't really get a say in how they need to be spent, I feel as though I deserve a refund. I simply see accepting these payments from the state as a means for getting back a small amount of the misused money I pay in taxes.

Kinda roundabout, I guess, but that's my justification. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong.

[angelatc]

though, if you think about it- if everyone stopped sending in their protection payments tomorrow, uncle Ben could just print up what the government wanted, and steal the wealth from the people that way.

At least the inflation would start at the bottom.

[Gumba of Liberty]

I get payments from my GI Bill and disability payments from the VA for a service-connected disability. Can I live without either of these benefits? Easily.

I'm sure many people on this forum will disagree with me and think that I shouldn't continue to accept this money from the state, but here's my philosophy:

I pay thousands upon thousands of dollars each year in taxes to a government that is misappropriating my funds and engaging in unconstitutional wars. Our true voices in government have been stifled, and it's rare that we see any form of "fair" election at the federal level. Since the government isn't using my funds appropriately and I don't really get a say in how they need to be spent, I feel as though I deserve a refund. I simply see accepting these payments from the state as a means for getting back a small amount of the misused money I pay in taxes.

Kinda roundabout, I guess, but that's my justification. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong.

You're not.

The public-works fallacy is the same as the broken-window fallacy. Just because the State is providing you services does not mean you are benefiting from these services. If you compare the costs (the unseen) to the benefits (the seen) of public works you realize that the State is a net burden on your existence and the only way to liberate yourself from the State is to reclaim your rightful property in anyway you can.