Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyClips
That's a very flawed statement. The government is made up of people, which always attracts the most ruthless and dishonest people...how does that solve the problem?
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That's exactly what I was getting at. I think we are in agreement. My point is that the mechanics of government need to protect against or work in harmony with self-interest. The solution is to either limit their power, or change it so that their self-interest is aligned with the common good. In theory that is what free trade is about. You only get ahead by providing for others. They trade something of less value (for them) for greater value (for them). Otherwise no transaction takes place. When there is taxation and you don't have a choice of where that money goes, you are often times in effect trading greater value for lesser value (or even negative value if they spend it on things you are morally opposed to).