this probably isn't that unpopular
this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2025
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Unpopular Opinion
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We also have a civic duty to vote, thereby ensuring that our taxes are spent in accordance with our believes and values.
I’m not against taxes at all, I’m glad it helps with my local schools, the roads, the library etc. One tax that kinda bugs me though is my property tax going up because the value of my property went up, I still get it, but it’s annoying when I have a pretty set budget and then out of nowhere my property is reassessed and now my monthly bill is higher.
I don't mind paying taxes, it's the price for the government to work.
Well, it'd be great if the government actually did it's fucking job and if the people with money didn't spend extra to make govt work for them and against the poor.
My issue anymore is not with paying taxes, it's how disproportionately they are applied across income brackets. In IL, we have some of the highest property taxes in the States, yet our schools are still needing to cut back on music and art programs I grew up experiencing because they don't have enough funding and test scores didn't care if you can play the cello. The roads and their platforms of potholes are a minefield, public places are rusting and falling apart, and we're being told that there's just no money and that austerity is the only way to make anything work, now.
No, austerity is not the only way if the rich paid their taxes. Righting this ship, this far after Reagan gutted most social safety nets and hamstrung a lot of programs aimed at helping anyone but the rich, is going to be extremely difficult until the geriatric boomers, who refuse to leave positions of power, left or are removed. Until (and if it's even possible now) we get back to that level of taxation of wealth, we will never have the life they tell us we get to live nor the world we want to raise a family in.
That's not unpopular with intelligent people who understand that we live in societies, and that involves working together
Anyone who thinks they are some rugged individual doing everything on their own has the mindset of an idiot child
The old joke about libertarians being housecats is absolutely accurate
Except the "society" we're paying into is now ripping out every safety net and benefit they can get their hands on and just giving our money to billionaires instead.
I've got a bit of a rigged individualist streak, I also enjoy living in society and understand how the world works.
I'm somewhat in favor of allowing people to opt out of taxation, but only if they totally forfeit the right to any services, privileges, etc. provided by those taxes.
They can't set foot on any public roads, sidewalks, etc.
If their house catches fire, the fire department will only act to prevent the fire spreading off of their property, not to save anyone or anything who is there.
They can't buy any products that have been transported on public roads.
Police won't protect them (inb4 ACAB, police have no duty to protect, blah blah blah, yes we're all on Lemmy, we've heard it a million times)
Etc.
Can't set foot on public roads etc..?
Damn, this is possibly the most beautifully presented reason for libertarians to be mocked
It would literally mean that they would have to live alone, apart from people coming to them, oh but wait, their land is still within the borders of a country unless they are on some unclaimed island somewhere, meaning that they are always going to have to deal with other people, the local authorities (because if they want to clear fell all the trees etc. in violation of local laws, then they can bet their childish arse it should be stepped on
And they're free to die from an infected cut or something, because the medical treatment they would receive has been built by generations of people who aren't "rUgGeD iNdIvIdUaLs"
"free"...
This is the thinking of a child who doesn't understand that they only eat because their parents aren't as stupid as they are.
land is still within the borders of a country unless they are on some unclaimed island somewhere
There will always be a bigger bully laying claim on any interesting piece of land. See the conflicts in Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, Taiwan, Palestine... It doesn't mean their claim has any moral basis.
I'm not engaging any further.
only if they totally forfeit the right to any services, privileges, etc.
Fully agree. Right after the governments gives up their monopoly on certain services, and stop cheating the market by nationalizing the land for certain kinds of projects. It's hard to compete with an entity that can just steal the land and negotiate the price later.
The government, as a group representing its citizens (theoretically), has the right to collectivize.
You have the right to be an individual but that does not supercede the right of everyone else to work together.
Oh right, I need to do my taxes... God damn it.
Not to mention, the Conservatives who base their whole existence on hating taxes and loving the bible conveniently forget what Jesus was EXPLICITLY pro-tax when he was directly asked about it: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.”
To be fair, literally saying "Give Caesar what belongs to him, and also give my invisible friend that only I can see what belongs to him" doesn't sound trustworthy.
Not a biblical scholar or a Christian but my understanding of the meaning is he’s saying don’t sweat worldly stuff like money and devote yourself to god instead. He’s saying it to a group of Jewish people in a temple I think so that tracks.
Everyone has a duty to contribute toward society according to their ability
This captures the essence of progressive taxation while allowing two additional obligations:
- Even if you don't incur taxes, there is some way you can and should contribute
- Not paying taxes may be a duty in particular times and places
A year ago this was probably pretty popular. Now I'm not so sure
I mean, yes, that's the case in most countries.
Not really an opinion.
Depends on how injust the government is. I'm at the point I want my government to collapse; it's irreparable at this point.
That's a terrible take... as an American, I believe that the issues the system has can be fixed and should be fixed.
Don't take offense, but with that attitude, you are like a cancer to our system/government.
I don't think they can. Legal precedents have been set that have destroyed the checks and balances and many rights have been revoked. We are going through a self-coup. The US is no longer a democracy. Future elections under this government will be rigged.
People find the threat of economic and legal sanctions to be pretty compelling motivators. Take those away and see how many pay their taxes.
We need to pay the billionaires so they don’t eat our babies. Its simple. Pay the doge or get your baby eaten.
You on drugs?
*only if our taxes benefit our society.
It's not worth paying federal taxes this year.