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Do you ever despair at the apparent lack of regard for the "social contract" by so many? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

196 comments fedilink hide all child comments

In this case, I'm referring to the notion that we all make minor sacrifices in our daily interactions in service of a "greater good" for everyone.

"Following the rules" would be a simplified version of what I'm talking about, I suppose. But also keeping an awareness/attitude about "How will my choices affect the people around me in this moment? "Common courtesy", "situational awareness", etc...

I don't know that it's a "new" phenomenon by any means, I just seem to have an increasing (subjective) awareness of it's decline of late.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Remember, the catalyzing moment that started the American experiment was a bunch of colonists rioting to eschew their duty to pay taxes. Right or wrong, avoiding taxes is at the core of American ideals. Modern American oligarchs are upholding the ancient tradition. The colonists rioted and destroyed some tea, modern day do-nothing billionaires buy politicians and destroy entire countries to avoid taxes.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

You are kind of leaving out the whole "without representation" portion of tax avoidance.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

More like being taxed on anything and everything, including paper (the Stamp Tax 1765 - a massive issue at the time), while having no one to be their voice. Taxes mostly to help fund wartime and reconstruction that didn't involve the colonies.

It wasn't an anti tax movement. It was movement to stop being bilked for everything while having no legal say in the matter.