stealthyeliminator
Regular Member
Is it a violation of principles, morals or ethics for a Libertarian Anarchist to accept employment as a police officer, no matter the way in which he strives to perform his duties?
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Is it a violation of principle for an anarchist to be a cop
- Thread starter stealthyeliminator
- Start date
Fallschirjmäger
Active member
I don't see why it would be so.
Officers being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.*
I'm merely paying Officer O'Flynn to do something that I don't have the time of inclination to do, just as I pay Avarice Disposal to haul my trash to the dump or Gypsy Lube to change the oil on my car when I don't have time.
*Peelian Principal Number 7
Officers being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.*
I'm merely paying Officer O'Flynn to do something that I don't have the time of inclination to do, just as I pay Avarice Disposal to haul my trash to the dump or Gypsy Lube to change the oil on my car when I don't have time.
*Peelian Principal Number 7
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stealthyeliminator
Regular Member
I would list some of the general tenants as non-aggression, self-ownership, private property rights, laissez-faire economics, individual liberty (though this is probably too broad to be useful). I'm beginning to realize "Libertarian Anarchist" is probably much to ambiguous for a question like this.
Let me clarify that my main reservation would be that no matter how I conducted myself as a police officer, my salary would still be payed via taxation, and I believe taxation is immoral. With the belief that taxation is immoral, is there any way to reconcile one's conscious with employment as a police officer?
I have so far been unable to answer yes.
Edit to add: the concept of "implicit consent" in that context I imagine would be heavily criticized in most "Libertarian" circles.
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sudden valley gunner
Regular Member
I could never be a cop. I would be asked to do way to many things that are contrary to a voluntary free society and contrary to the current constitutional limits cops are supposed to have.
davidmcbeth
Banned
Its a moot question .. such people are too smart to be accepted as cops.
All libertarians are too smart to be cops from the guidelines of the government...can't be too smart and be a cop.
So while I see no issue from the libertarian applicant's viewpoint, they would never be accepted.
All libertarians are too smart to be cops from the guidelines of the government...can't be too smart and be a cop.
So while I see no issue from the libertarian applicant's viewpoint, they would never be accepted.
Seriona
Regular Member
Because the US is not an Anarchist state, then yes, it would be a violation of the ideal of Anarchy.
Primus
Regular Member
So you answered your own question. You couldn't do it because taxes would pay for your salary.
All I can say to help is look at this way... Usually the guys your helping are legit tax payers and happy to pay for your service especially after you helped them with x thing (find missing kid, find missing/stolen property, help at bad car accidents, help at fires, arrest guys for assaulting/robbing/harassing/disturbing said citizen, etc. Etc.) And the bad guys you arrest or charge for above crimes don't usually pay taxes anyways so don't have to worry about them.
Don't watch you tube or stupid anti cop websites. There's literally hundreds of good things you can do for others in your community and can actually make a difference in peoples lives for the better.
You just have to choose to be that way.
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georg jetson
Regular Member
Is taxation immoral or is just taxing someone's labor immoral?
sudden valley gunner
Regular Member
Madison had 3 definitions of state.
The most commonly used one would make this an impossibility....
Primus
Regular Member
Good question.
Also I would add/ask of stealthy do you partake in any other services that are funded via the very same taxation? Any public services funded by taxes? City transportation, park services, etc.... I would wager you do, which is a perfectly normal and moral thing. But ask yourself how that conflicts with your other objections
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georg jetson
Regular Member
I would also add that taxing moveable and imoveable propery is immoral both at sale or recurring. Most assuradely, police are paid by some form of immoral taxation.
OC for ME
Regular Member
Is there not other considerations that would dissuade a citizen from being a cop other than taxes?
Primus
Regular Member
There are many. But stealthy specifically stated his main issue was that it was funded by taxes he finds immoral. So he would be drawing a pay check from a source he finds immoral.
It wasn't just a general "hey guys why wouldn't I want to be a cop?". It started pretty specific about taxes and his political beliefs.
He kind of answered his own question.
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OC for ME
Regular Member
cjohnson44546
Regular Member
I don't see how an anarchist could take an oath to uphold the constitution and other laws that he thinks is wrong...
taxes immoral? makes me laugh out loud.
taxes immoral? makes me laugh out loud.
georg jetson
Regular Member
I know!!!! It would be funny if it were't so sad that many believe legalized theft is moral.
cjohnson44546
Regular Member
No one forces you to be a citizen and pay taxes. If you don't want to help fund the government, then denounce your citizenship and leave. Pretty simple.
I think is wrong for an Anarchist to even live as a citizen of the country, let alone have government employment.
cjohnson44546
Regular Member
If you want to interact (buy) with companies doing business as part of the country, you have to follow the rules... You want to be in the Country and get all the benefits of being in the Country with no obligation to support the Country? If you want to buy things with no Tax to the local governments, then don't buy stuff like that. Go to some other place/state/country. If you cannot find anywhere in the world to go that meets your wants in life, then you need to make your own country. I doubt you can, you'd probably just be killed or locked up trying to take land from others, but hey... go for it.
georg jetson
Regular Member
Nobody said you didnt have to follow the rules. The point is that the rules are immoral. Surely you agree.
cjohnson44546
Regular Member
I see nothing immoral with requiring citizens to help fund the government. I find plenty of laws and rules wrong which need to be changed. How taxes are handled in the US is very problematic, but I find nothing wrong with requiring taxes in principle.