crazylibertarian Loc: Florida by way of New York & Rhode Island

Are You A C*******t?

First Item.



Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.


The first in Marx’s agenda is very interesting because it has been supported by some people who have, otherwise, been ardent disciples of the free market and very anti-c*******t; among them Winston Churchill, Milton Friedman, Rutherford B. Hayes, William F. Buckley, Jr. Adam Smith, and socialist George Bernard. Talk about a group from across the spectrum! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgism#Notable_Georgists

It gained favor and attention during the last half of the nineteenth century. In fact, economist, social scientist and philosopher Henry George built an entire economic system around it. He proposed a single tax on unimproved land value. He was thoroughly committed to the free market.

The theory was often dismissed as c*******t but it has some very interesting facets. It is progressive in that the more land you own, the higher your taxes are. It does not punish productivity in any way, as does an income tax. Consumption is unaffected. A person can simply buy wh**ever he decides is appropriate without the government punishing it.

In any society’s earliest existence, there is just mankind and the land which is essentially natural resources. People can just try to live off the unimproved land with its natural produce, fruits, vegetables, animals etc. but obviously that is limited.

There next step is to cultivate the natural occurring food and animals. Also, occupants might build homes for living quarters. They might develop farms for food from the vegetable kingdom and also corral animals for grazing and food and clothing. Some might start growing trees for warmth and shelter.

The point is that the society has now begun to apply its labor to natural resources. Capital results which is either consumed or used to produce other things, i.e. capital which is then either consumed or used to produce other things, i.e. capital, and so on. The land is improved. Human beings have made a difference in the land’s value. The question is how does one separate the unimproved, from the improved value.

In the theory of a single tax on land, the unimproved land value should devolve to society. That differentiation is what makes it so difficult to apply.

Still it’s not a bad way for government to raise funds for its services. I think it would also tend to keep government in check, which is precisely what Marx did not want. He wanted an all powerful government to control every aspect of human life. Which is important to remember. Marx was committed to the ens***ement of mankind. Henry George, et al, were committed to freedom.

Milosia2 Loc: Cleveland Ohio

You don’t own any land now. Of course you have deed for it and your name is on it.
But, don’t pay your taxes and see what happens.
You won’t own it any longer.
Who will own it.
Who owns everything here today ?
Your note gets bought and sold every day.
What if Russia somehow winds up with it and decides you need to move out ?
Or China maybe. They have all your greenbacks.
Please explain what a government of the people by the people and for the people
Means. Is it a c****e chant ?