It seems to me that the only way you can avoid being deemed a part of the contract is if you remove yourself from human society. Otherwise, Socrates's argument in The Crito comes into effect: that having lived under and taken advantage of the laws of the polis, you owe them (the Laws) even when they appear to disfavor you. (Need I remind you, I am talking abstractly, and not considering severely oppressive laws). Thus, if you live in society, you have acquiesced, unless you are actively rebelling.
Government is sui generis. It is not a business, it is the principal institution through which society seeks to maintain order and uphold the common good. It does not determine cost primarily through use, but through a sort of social insurance model. There is no good way to decide how much people benefit from having the American Navy keep the sea lanes free, or having patrol cars go through their neighborhood. Waiting to charge someone for actual use would not be fair: for example, how many contracts are honored because there is a right to sue, without ever having to file? Thus, we all benefit, and we try to apportion the burden fairly (not always succeeding).
Yes, there are free riders, because we give some poor people a break. I do not think that vitiates the main equitable claim. As far as the rest goes, I think that inequities should be cured, but are not inherent in the fact of taxation.
We make decisions about the level of services and how to pay for them collectively. That is what democracy is about......I have to run, but will be back......... |
