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Originally Posted by Shawnski
They voluntarily choose and agree to, WHERE, WHEN, WHAT, WHO and HOW they will work. It is all a matter of choice.
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That's an assertion, not an argument. Articles of libertarian faith do not trump reality - "choice" can be limited or entirely eliminated by factors outside the individual's control.
When you are an unskilled labourer, do you have the choice to grab a few million dollars of venture capital to open your own software development company? Does an engineer "choose" to get an engineering-related job, or is his choice circumscribed by his education? If your single mother needs you to drop out of school to help pay the bills for your six brothers and sisters, can you "choose" instead to go off for 7 years to get a law degree and become a lawyer instead?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnski
Your key word is "wages". In a free society you can choose to work for wages or not. It is YOUR choice.
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In our current society, I can choose to pay taxes or not, too! Look - your libertarian utopia is achievable today! Just "choose" not to pay taxes, "choose" to ignore laws that circumscribe your economic freedom, and you're golden!
Or maybe your definition of "choice" is ridiculously simplistic. Choice implies the consequences of different actions have somewhat comparable outcomes that a rational person can evaluate and decide between.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnski
People have "survived" for millennia. What the hell are you talking about "no other way"? For the truly needy, for example, a volunteerist society is far more likely to be able to not only identify the needs of an individual but address them. That is what a voluntary community does.
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Based on what evidence? Yet again, another axiom of libertarianism glitzed up to sound like an argument.
Back around 100-150 years ago, we had a capitalist/feudalist society that depended upon volunteerism to ameliorate social ills. It was almost universally unsuccessful. And yet, somehow, it'll be different now? Why is that?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnski
And other groups, i.e. like the Hutterites seem to do very well on their own.
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Oh yes, if you like repression, regimentation, and patriarchy. And, for that matter, communal ownership of property. Does any of that really resonate with libertarian ideals?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnski
At least I have tried to address more of YOUR post than you did from one line of MINE.
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The entire philosophy of libertarianism relies upon false premises, so one line is all that really needs addressing. It's a simplistic approach to a world of complexities, and appeals to those who fail to understand that the simpler the system, the easier it is to corrupt and control.