I won't engage in work that I conclude is immoral, nor will I help others to pursue ends that I consider problematic. I think it's important that you always be free to come to your own conclusions on such matters as well.
Do you think that refusing to pay one's taxes, and thereby ultimately going to jail, is the best way to make a principled stand against the idea that taxation is theft?
As I understand it, in any specific context there are many principles to be considered in making a decision as to how to act.
For example, "Strive to act rationally" is an important principle for me. I try to act based on reason and evidence, to the best of my ability to do so.
Would you consider someone who chose to make a headlong rush at the IRS and their most sacred rule as acting rationally?
I would say such a person was tilting at windmills. I think there are more effective ways for me to work for virtue and justice in the world.
In other words, I don't see being principled as necessarily requiring martyrdom.
> These taxes are non-voluntary and coerced from me under threat of force.
One could say equally well that, for many of the engineers working on them, these reprehensible projects are non-voluntary and coerced under threat of economic ruin.
(To "you can always quit"—well, you can always renounce your US citizenship, too. To "then I'll just wind up paying taxes to some other repressive government"—someone contemplating quitting his or her job could also despair that he or she will just have to take another morally questionable job.)
"These taxes are non-voluntary and coerced from me under threat of force."
False. You can move to another country whose values/morals you agree with more, become a citizen, and renounce your American Citizenship. It's by no means easy but completely doable. You still live here and pay taxes to the US government because your "principles" don't yet outweigh the convenience of living where you do. Make no mistake, America has done, continues to do, and probably will do in the future, utterly terrible, immoral shit.
I have a different view, but first, thank you for sharing yours.
Yes, I could move to a different country. And I have thought about that quite a bit. There may come a time when I decide to do it.
But it's troubling, morally, to do so. Here's why.
An old man is walking down the street. He's a peaceful guy, minding his own business. A couple of thugs come up to him, stick a gun in his ribs, and demand his wallet.
He doesn't want to do it, but he reluctantly gives up his wallet, in the hope that they won't choose to harm him any further.
If after this incident, the man chooses not to move to a safer neighborhood, would you say that he is then endorsing the actions of the thugs?
In my view, the man has done nothing wrong. He did not initiate force against anyone else. When the thugs, who clearly do not respect individual rights demanded his money, he made a rational calculation and did what he concluded was most likely to save his life.
This is why, while I could move to another country, I'm (currently) unwilling to do so. I would prefer to stay in my home, and work as best I can to be an advocate for virtue and peaceful, voluntary cooperation.
And finally, yes, I agree with you, the government of the United States has done some horrible things. You might have noticed that I am not exactly an advocate of a large and powerful state. :-D
