tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post6405412681371051524..comments2024-03-28T09:59:13.754-07:00Comments on bionic mosquito: Principled Case for Liberty?bionic mosquitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-13271095294247596502017-06-09T04:40:31.407-07:002017-06-09T04:40:31.407-07:00Without taxes and the massive monetary inflation o...Without taxes and the massive monetary inflation of central banks, production increases and technological advances would rapidly depress the costs of a basic living: food, shelter, safety. Even today automation is reducing the workforce needed to produce/provide these essentials. <br /><br />The concept of a UBI is only valid under an authoritarian system. Even ignoring the costs, the implementation would necessarily give the distributors knowledge of every individual in the program, and a significant amount of power over those individuals. There is no libertarian argument to support it. Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14010513213569295642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-3468010788777635302017-06-09T04:23:07.189-07:002017-06-09T04:23:07.189-07:00"Then the question becomes, what is the point..."Then the question becomes, what is the point of being 'libertarian' if not to engage politically nor to publish (promote) it?"<br /><br />The NAP is derived from fundamental principles like "humans act purposefully" and self ownership. It is a moral definition as much as it is a political position. I focus mostly on the morality of not personally infringing on other's rights. If there were no other purpose, that would be enough for me. <br /><br />However, it also gives perspective in political discussions. I avoid the ambiguous term libertarian in discussions outside groups like these. I find my arguments are readily understood and accepted with no libertarian theory at all. Without using the term, no one has any trouble understanding NAP violations are "bad". The twisted justifications that follow are simple to dismantle as long as the debate remains unemotional.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14010513213569295642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-45204558688545069562017-06-08T14:58:51.995-07:002017-06-08T14:58:51.995-07:00Matt, you are the one who raised the possibility. ...Matt, you are the one who raised the possibility. <br /><br />My only point is that there isn't enough money in so-called natural resources (and certainly not at a stable price) by which to pull this off, even in the most resource-rich and population poor environments.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-63902674623876883582017-06-08T13:27:09.868-07:002017-06-08T13:27:09.868-07:00Beats me. I'm not going to get into utilitaria...Beats me. I'm not going to get into utilitarian arguments, or considerations about what the "best" payment is. All I can say is that there is sufficient wealth here in Australia and that under different circumstances there would be zero taxes and also a cash gift. <br /><br />Under the current circumstances that obviously isn't the case. Matt@Occidentalism.orghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395220402283030311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-19246606423097846702017-06-08T07:37:00.696-07:002017-06-08T07:37:00.696-07:00I supposed the UBI can be accomplished by setting ...I supposed the UBI can be accomplished by setting up what churches call a benevolence fund. All who want to contribute to the fund can do so voluntarily. The funds can be disbursed on a per capita basis.<br />The problem is that there will be costs, unless all labor is volunteer and buildings, capital etc. are donated. Is the disbursement to all, all over a certain age, etc.<br />If all other welfare programs are abolished, something like that could work in a perfect environment.<br />Still searching for the perfect, thin, environment.JaimeInTexashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729407700850451849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-75152325237806695252017-06-08T06:56:42.126-07:002017-06-08T06:56:42.126-07:00Matt, I also have no idea what Lady Albatross is g...Matt, I also have no idea what Lady Albatross is getting at (“a libertarian UBI (assuming it is possible, which might be, depending on how you define income and money)”). What does this mean? Anyway, I didn’t expect a reply from her, and so far she hasn’t disappointed.<br /><br />As to your point: to address this point, I will avoid the topic of the state as a legitimate institution.<br /><br />Forgive the several questions – I know some people get turned off by this. <br /><br />Base a universal basic income on commodity prices? Have you seen a more volatile segment than commodities when it comes to prices? How stable will that income stream be? What will happen in years where prices are low? Do you think they will tap into the general fund?<br /><br />With that out of the way…<br /><br />First, Australian petroleum: “The PRRT is a profit based project tax. It is applied at a rate of 40% to a project’s taxable profit and is based on assessable receipts less general project expenditure, project exploration expenditure and project exploration expenditure transferred in from other associated PRRT projects.”<br /><br />After this, income tax is still applied.<br /><br />https://industry.gov.au/resource/Enhancing/Documents/Minerals-and-Petroleum-in-Australia-Investors-Guide-2015.pdf <br /><br />What’s left? In other words, the state is already taking a majority of the profit, or close to it.<br /><br />Regarding minerals, these companies already lose money about as often as they make money. From where will regular payments come?<br /><br />Alternatively, where oil is a state “owned” commodity, we find the worst despots – Venezuela, Saudi Arabia as two examples. How is this working out?<br /><br />But, maybe if we get saints running the system?<br /><br />The closest example to a functioning system is the Alaska Permanent Fund. It is also a state where the “oil to population” ratio is extremely favorable – most of the world has no such luxury. <br /><br />Its annual payments have varied widely – ranging from $300 to $2000 per year per eligible person. <br /><br />From this, you can base a successful UBI program?<br />bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-57985935086474734942017-06-08T04:06:08.120-07:002017-06-08T04:06:08.120-07:00So, the distinction is between those who are ident...So, the distinction is between those who are identified as libertarians and those who actually are libertarians. Then the question becomes, what is the point of being 'libertarian' if not to engage politically nor to publish (promote) it?<br />And, what exactly do you claim is a libertarian?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-52794717595554883732017-06-08T02:58:21.611-07:002017-06-08T02:58:21.611-07:00I can't speak to what Lady Albatross is talkin...I can't speak to what Lady Albatross is talking about, but in my country (Australia) there could easily have been a no-tax regime and a cash gift to citizens (a UBI, I suppose) that did not involve theft. <br /><br />The government owns most of the mineral wealth here, and it was no homesteaded previously by others so it is hard to say that the government "stole" it from anyone (certainly no individual owner could be identified, or even claims ownership). <br /><br />However we do have taxes in Australia. Quite oppressive, heavy taxes because Australian have to fund immigration into Australia. The figures are hidden but I would not be surprised if it takes well over 50% of our tax revenues like Denmark. Matt@Occidentalism.orghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395220402283030311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-60728505648462145232017-06-07T13:18:00.816-07:002017-06-07T13:18:00.816-07:00The progressive mother of a former girlfriend told...The progressive mother of a former girlfriend told me that Reason's overall perspective was "too harsh" after I had given her a couple of editions back in 1995!<br /><br />Liberty MikeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-75889200438334547882017-06-07T08:15:16.705-07:002017-06-07T08:15:16.705-07:00It'll cost an arm and a legIt'll cost an arm and a legJosh1476https://www.blogger.com/profile/07881701110722592922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-63588397249336666252017-06-07T07:10:23.015-07:002017-06-07T07:10:23.015-07:00Please describe a universal basic income that does...Please describe a universal basic income that doesn't involve theft, some way that "something for nothing" does not require the forceful taking from those who have produced the "something" to those who have produced nothing.<br /><br />As to thick or thin libertarianism, I have written on this far to much to count. Libertarian theory is thin; libertarian requirements are thin.<br /><br />Life is thick; libertarian theory does not offer a roadmap for life.<br /><br />bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-39694834423420336922017-06-07T06:48:43.525-07:002017-06-07T06:48:43.525-07:001. No there are very much things called "libe...1. No there are very much things called "libertarians." It's not that hard to define.<br />2. Again, confusing the LP with libertarianism.JFFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-45264420992192768352017-06-07T06:47:36.915-07:002017-06-07T06:47:36.915-07:00The good pieces are usually on easy topics that by...The good pieces are usually on easy topics that by and large don't offend anyone, particularly donors and the government. The good articles don't prevent Reason's staff from being invited to those kinds of parties in D.C. and New York.JFFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-41157364093434538632017-06-07T04:25:35.816-07:002017-06-07T04:25:35.816-07:00Bionic, something tells me that aou are against Un...Bionic, something tells me that aou are against Universal Basic Income for some wrong reasons. I mean, more reasons than the only reason compatible with libertarianism: that UBI implies theft.<br />For, if UBI could be financed without any sort of theft, then a real libertarian should not oppose it. Not at all. Unless he thought that giving money for free was harmful to individuals and, therefore, harmful to the culture and to mankind at large. But then you would have added something to the NAP only version of libertarianism... and you would not be a real libertarian anymore, right?<br />Please, don't break my heart. Tell me whether your are really a Thin Libertarian who doesn't care what evil happens to human beings as long as they don't wrongfully use force, or a fake Thin Libertarian that secretly aspires to a universal moral redemption of humanity, in addition to a strict and rational adherence to the non-aggression principle.<br />On my part, I am only against violence-based UBI. I don't care if a libertarian UBI (assuming it is possible, which might be, depending on how you define income and money) induces people to kill themselves.<br />And Reason Magazine should go to Hell, IMHO.<br />Lady Albatrossnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-39558475737756427292017-06-07T04:21:14.826-07:002017-06-07T04:21:14.826-07:00Perhaps the problem is that the term libertarian i...Perhaps the problem is that the term libertarian is only meaningful in a political sense and that there is really no such thing as a libertarian (idea or person). <br />The Libertarian party seems to have become, in my opinion, a container for socialists, anarchists, and various other philosophies at war with each other. <br />Still, the fundamental ideas as I understand, of freedom and limitation of government occur to me whenever I encounter the term, but soon I am reminded of what the party has become, and I have difficulty identifying any universal respect for or adherence to any principles.<br />Open borders, checks for everybody, and free body piercings... That's what I call liberty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-17490571179276996152017-06-07T03:50:45.411-07:002017-06-07T03:50:45.411-07:00Typical of Reason. I remember reading it in the 7...Typical of Reason. I remember reading it in the 70's when it truly was principled. Somewhere in the 80's and 90's it tried to become relevant. When Virginia Postrel was running it, it went off the rails. I cancelled. They asked me why and I told them I thought they were writing fluff. I think it was Nick Gillespie who answered me, defensively. I now rarely read their stuff, and I never suggest that anyone subscribe, lest they think libertarianism is a form of benevolent communism. Kojak's Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05716171865564466707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-58712656154099444152017-06-07T03:29:25.013-07:002017-06-07T03:29:25.013-07:00Ah the beltway boys. Their odious rag eschews the ...Ah the beltway boys. Their odious rag eschews the air of liberty for the odious fumes of Mordor. I sure wish stopping real-life socialism was as easy as Frodo's job in the book. I'd gladly give my ring finger to make it all go away. Brutushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06885083535036422093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-16607928429925637702017-06-06T16:58:50.513-07:002017-06-06T16:58:50.513-07:00A guaranteed income tax, how will it even be distr...A guaranteed income tax, how will it even be distributed, all 18yo and older? Regardless if living independently, with minor dependents? Etc. A bureaucracy still needed to manage.<br />I could go with the scheme only as an intermediate step to get rid of all welfare programs ...<br />I began laughing. As it that was going to happen?!!!JaimeInTexashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729407700850451849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-19422114578078335912017-06-06T12:50:22.364-07:002017-06-06T12:50:22.364-07:00I suspect a libertarian would find about an equal ...I suspect a libertarian would find about an equal proportion of "hit and miss" when reading National Review or Huffington Post.<br /><br />A sad indictment.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-58547916977394849262017-06-06T10:33:04.995-07:002017-06-06T10:33:04.995-07:00The Reason blog should be renamed "Hit and Mi...The Reason blog should be renamed "Hit and Miss".<br /><br />They will do some good pieces on police brutality, drug freedom, and what have you, making one think that he is reading a libertarian website.<br /><br />Then, before you know it, they will be giving respectful consideration for the UBI, shilling for the government vaccine program, promoting a porn star as some kind of exemplar of liberty, and doing other ridiculous things.D. Saul Weinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03294245259077659002noreply@blogger.com