Roachboy, yeah, I was writing the first part of that post to Will and the second to you, just forgot to parse it correctly.
If I have couched my argument in the terms you describe (the rich are virtuous, that capitalism is preferable to Stalinism, etc.) then I have done so accidentally. I have attempted to avoid interjecting unsupportable absolutes and while I have suggested that MY limited success was purely a product of willpower and determination, I have made no claims about virtue. I am quite willing to express a preference for Capitalism over Stalinism, though the only claim I have made so far is that such tyrants are rare in a capitalist society, especially in comparison to the number of people who compete fairly and successfully.
I have arrived at my current world view in large part through paying my own way through college while people all around me complained about how unfair the system was because they could only get grants for half their tuition, etc. Following school I enlisted in the military, which, despite popular misconception is anything but a meritocracy and I learned the hard way how large socialist-like systems actually operate. Through sheer stubbornness I have worked my way into a unit that is the closest thing to a meritocracy I have yet seen. I made SSG with less than 3 years time in service and when I am not deployed I spend most of my time at various schools acquiring the professional skills I will need for continued success. During my (relatively short) time in the military I have seen countless people complain and complain about their station in life while doing absolutely nothing to get promoted or get a better job. I have no respect for that level of complacency and I do not feel we as a society should reward such behavior...regardless of virtue, I don't think it is healthy for society as a whole to hold up the mediocre as an ideal standard.
-----Added 27/1/2009 at 08 : 04 : 25-----
Quote:
Originally Posted by Derwood
I still don't understand why taxing what people earn is "unconstitutional" and "unfair" and "big bad government", but taxing what people spend is just hunky dory and in no way a violation of anyone's life, liberty and pursuit of happiness
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We are playing tag. I don't think taxing what people earn is unconstitutional, I just think it is undesirable and lends itself easily to unfair and complicated tax-schemes.
It is estimated that anywhere between 14-20% of the total amount of tax revenue is spent on attempting to comply with our current tax code. That's ridiculous. Our tax system should be simple enough that changes are transparent...I support a sales tax because it is the simplest option I can think of.