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I realize people have differing views on morality, but I think people generally believe that theft, murder, etc. are wrong when done by any average person. Why do people not treat it equally when it's someone in uniform doing it, or a politician ordering it to be done? Do we "give them those rights", and if so, how?
Example: If it's wrong for me to take your money under threat of violence, can I decide that someone else can do it instead? What if my friends also decide we can do that to you? What about 1000 people? At what point is it legitimate for anyone to forcefully control you?
I think the language used (taxation, war/defense, regulation, law, etc.) is meant to make these actions seem "different", somehow, than theft, murder, or violent force done by the average citizen.
Anyway, I just thought it was an interesting topic to think about. It's one big reason I became voluntaryist.
If everyone who felt soiled by the actions of our leaders held themselves to the same higher standard in which they're judging others by, the world would be a much better place.
To me the breach of morality in the Clinton administration was one of Americas darkest moments that made me ashamed of our president...
You know, I could care less about this. And it wasn't americas darkest moments because most of us don't care. You just have to go back in history and look at the mistresses the presidents have had.
There are definitely scandals that involve politicians, but what I'm referring to is their actual job...as I said in my first post, I think the language used to describe what government does is meant to make it seem different than when we do it.
They steal and call it taxation, eminent domain, blah blah blah. They murder or order others to kill people who never attacked us and call it war or "defense" (it's only defense if they attack you and you are defending yourself). They use violent force to control others and call it law or regulation.
Easiest way to describe peoples' mindset: Theft, murder, being the initiator of violence, etc. are wrong....unless it's done by government...then it's okay. We need them to do those things.
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