Ask Dr. Ruwart

Question:

"Most libertarians oppose the current income tax system. Is this because the system is too complicated and the IRS has a poor history, or because income taxes are inherently bad? What type of taxation system would be best? What type of taxation system would be best at the state and local levels?"

My short answer:

"Libertarians do not advocate the initiation of force, fraud, or theft to achieve social or political goals. If you refuse to contribute to my favorite charity, and I took your money at gunpoint anyway, I'd be stealing from you. Similarly, if I vote for taxes to force you to contribute to that charity through taxes, I'm asking the government to take your money -- at gunpoint, if necessary.

"What is wrong for me as an individual, is wrong for a group of individuals acting through 'government.' Wrong doesn't turn into right, just because the majority agrees to it. Minorities have no protection if they have to depend upon the majority for it.

"As a result, libertarians believe that ALL taxation is theft. Libertarians believe that the services supported by taxes can be provided more economically and efficiently by the private sector."

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Dr. Ruwart's book Healing Our World features persuasive arguments for liberty, backed with *over 500 references* showing how liberty works. You can browse the entire book online at: http://www.ruwart.com/Healing/

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ASK DR. RUWART

How can you answer difficult questions about libertarianism -- in short, positive, persuasive soundbite-sized responses? It's a challenge every libertarian communicator faces.

Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian communication and author of the international bestseller "Healing Our World." Her new book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions." In this column she provides Liberator Online readers with "Short Answers to the Tough Questions" that libertarians are frequently asked.

If you'd like Dr. Ruwart to provide effective answers for YOUR "tough questions" on libertarian issues, just email the questions to her at: mailto:ruwart@self-gov.org . *Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can't personally answer or acknowledge all email queries.* But we'll run the best questions -- and Dr. Ruwart's answers -- in upcoming issues.

Extra Tip: Dr. Ruwart suggests that answers are often best preceded by a "Ransberger Pivot" statement, to establish common ground with the questioner. (Example: "Like you, I too want to live in a world where the environment is clean... Like you, I too want to see greater abundance for all people...") For more on the Ransberger Pivot communication technique, see previous issues, or contact the Advocates.

Dr. Ruwart's past answers are archived in searchable form at the Advocates Web page: http://www.self-gov.org/ruwart/ .

Short Answers to the Tough Questions:

by Dr. Mary Ruwart