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Re:Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not by JPKab on Saturday September 21, 2019 @12:00PM (#21036104)
"Once I've been a citizen long enough (i.e. paid enough taxes) I get to invoke my free year, which is a year where the government pays me enough to cover my bills and maybe a bit extra for projects and stuff."

I really wish people would stop saying "the government" in these scenarios. It's the taxpayers. Actual humans whose money is taken by force. Not saying it's a bad idea, just saying that we need to be thinking a lot more responsibly about the fact that this is money being taken from people who themselves would rather spend it on their own needs/dreams/business ideas etc.

Re:Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not by nitrogen on Saturday September 21, 2019 @01:35PM (#21036710)
The money is taken regardless, whether through higher prices on goods sold, higher interest rates on money borrowed, lower returns on investments, or higher taxes. The question is what will do the most good for the most people at the highest efficiency.
Re:Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not by hammock on Saturday September 21, 2019 @06:17PM (#21038231)
Is that the question? Is that written somewhere? Or is the question, what will lead me (elected representative) to achieve my personal ambitions of, for example, being re-elected or landing a high paying job in the private sector?
Re:Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not by 8note on Saturday September 21, 2019 @01:59PM (#21036847)
is it really the tax payers? and is it really being taken by force? the government also gets funding by taking on debt, or can print more currency; not everything comes from a tax payer.

you're not exactly forced to be taxed either. it's an agreement in exchange for citizenship. if you don't want to be taxed, go make and spend your money somewhere that doesn't have taxes

Re:Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not by benjohnson on Saturday September 21, 2019 @02:09PM (#21036908)
Do you have an unspoken premise that this nation belongs to the government? If so, I would say that this nation belongs to the citizens instead.
Re:Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not by QualityReboot on Saturday September 21, 2019 @03:12PM (#21037280)
Found the libertarian!

I kid, but I think most people do have the view that the government really owns everything. In practice, control means ownership, so it's not an unreasonable view.

Re:Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not by hammock on Saturday September 21, 2019 @06:22PM (#21038253)
Who controls government?
Re:Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not by wolco on Sunday September 22, 2019 @02:15AM (#21039947)
Not all money that government generates comes from tax payers.

From selling stamps, casino taxes, parking/speeding tickets, lotteries (where out of state purchases are allowed) to charging fees for applications or rent/selling land or charging fees to camp in parks.

I don't have to be a taxpayer for the government to make money from me.

Thinking the govermment is the taxpayer is wrong. The government must represent all citizens very young and old and many are not taxpayers.