Government Power, an essay I'm working on

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
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Ok, I spotted a thesis, but it just seems weak. Also, this: "It will be shown why this is the case shortly,...." just interrupts the natural flow of the essay.
 

Dissipate

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2004
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Originally posted by: rbloedow
Ok, I spotted a thesis, but it just seems weak. Also, this: "It will be shown why this is the case shortly,...." just interrupts the natural flow of the essay. </p>

I know, I'm trying to iron that stuff out but bear with me. Please read the whole essay.

Here is the thesis or implied thesis:

Government power is derived from its power to tax, its power to tax is derived from its ability to tax, its ability to tax is derived by the common acceptance of its currency.

This basically means that if the economy rejected government issued currency the government's ability to tax would be severely diminished as well as its power.

If you believe this thesis is weak, please explain how.
 
Jan 12, 2003
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"If the government was not able..."


1st paragraph: change 'was' to 'were' (subjunctive)



"The government?s ability to tax is derived from the common acceptance of its currency." I am not sure I understand this, but will read on to hear what you have to say...I accept the French Franc as a legitimate currency, though I don't presuppose their inherent right to tax me.



"The USD is regulated by the Federal Reserve which technically is not entirely part of the U.S. government. Whether or not it is part of the U.S. government is not relevant because..." If this is "not relevant," why include the fluff? ..just put that it is a quasi-government institution and be done with it.



I agree with Chess: " It will be shown why this is the case shortly, but first a little about the Federal Reserve." Don't tell me that "it will be shown," as that's implied...show me :)



"that the Federal Reserve actually has total control over almost everyone?s financial life..." TOTAL control? I think not, sir....perhaps if you were to use 'significant influence', I would jump onboard...


I quit reading when I read this nonsense: "Americans have submitted themselves to government control just by using the USD, even if they do not realize it. The reason why is very simple, the government has an extremely convenient scheme set up"

Good luck, sir; you are on your own from here.

 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,957
6,796
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Good luck, sir; you are on your own from here.

Only, of course, if others don't intend to contribute further points. Watch out for sweeping generalities. We used to use gold as a standard and the government still taxed had the ability to tax and the power and all that sort of stuff. I see no difference or significant distinction between saying the gov has power and ability. One implies the other. They are not sequential but concurrent.
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,957
6,796
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We hold these truths to be self evident.......................that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,957
6,796
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"Aside from collapse, the policies set in the secret meetings still affect everyone as well even if they do not realize it."

If you are writing an essay in which you intend to explain what may have not been explained you don't have to inform people that they are ignorant first. But if you are writing a piece of propaganda which you don't want people to question you might want to suggest to them that any resistance they might have to your ideas are based on the fact that they are too ignorant to really think this through themselves. I detect in your writing not a deep curiosity and scholarship into a subject and an intention to share insight, but an emotional attachment to an idea and a need to be right.
 
Jan 12, 2003
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Originally posted by: Moonbeam
We hold these truths to be self evident.......................that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed

Hell has frozen over, moonie :)
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
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www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: Dissipate
Check it out here, essay was too long for anandtech forums:

Link

Ok, tell me what you think.

"The reason why is that the government for all practical purposes cannot collect taxes in a private currency."

I think that should be ON a private Currency.

Also I don't think "Voluntary" is the correct term, try not paying Taxes, off to Jail you go.

 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,957
6,796
126
Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
Originally posted by: Moonbeam

We hold these truths to be self evident.......................that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed



Hell has frozen over, moonie :)

Ice. :D

 

Dissipate

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2004
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Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
"If the government was not able..."





1st paragraph: change 'was' to 'were' (subjunctive)

Point taken.







"The government?s ability to tax is derived from the common acceptance of its currency." I am not sure I understand this, but will read on to hear what you have to say...I accept the French Franc as a legitimate currency, though I don't presuppose their inherent right to tax me.

The U.S. government would just make you convert a portion of your wealth to the USD and pay that in taxes. However, the only reason why it can do this is because the vast majority of Americans accept the USD for payment for goods and services.







"The USD is regulated by the Federal Reserve which technically is not entirely part of the U.S. government. Whether or not it is part of the U.S. government is not relevant because..." If this is "not relevant," why include the fluff? ..just put that it is a quasi-government institution and be done with it.

Point taken.







I agree with Chess: " It will be shown why this is the case shortly, but first a little about the Federal Reserve." Don't tell me that "it will be shown," as that's implied...show me :)

Point taken.





"that the Federal Reserve actually has total control over almost everyone?s financial life..." TOTAL control? I think not, sir....perhaps if you were to use 'significant influence', I would jump onboard...

Yes, total control. If the Federal Reserve so wished it could collapse the economy.




I quit reading when I read this nonsense: "Americans have submitted themselves to government control just by using the USD, even if they do not realize it. The reason why is very simple, the government has an extremely convenient scheme set up"

Ok, if it is nonesense please tell me how it is nonesense. Insulting my intelligence is one thing, insulting my intelligence and then not explaining how my statements are un-intelligent is another thing entirely. That's akin to throwing away a book and proclaiming: "This is garbage!" and then not being able to explain why. Therefore, your statement proclaiming my statements are nonesense, is nonesense in and of itself.



Good luck, sir; you are on your own from here.