[agrenader]

How this is different from local taxes? When you stop paying taxes the trouble starts. The problem arises when there are competing "protectors."

[amscanne]

To be fair, there’s also some due process when you’re not paying your taxes. In this case, I imagine that the process for dealing with non-payment is rather violent, inconsistent and chaotic.

[thaumasiotes]

I wouldn't imagine that. Violent, yes. Inconsistent, no.

[gruez]

>Inconsistent, no.

Is there a clearly laid out code that says what the penalty for non payment is? Does your car get keyed? window smashed? set ablaze? or do you get beat up?

[amscanne]

You don’t think they’d treat you better if you were a family member of someone in the gang?

Or that you’d get different treatment if your local goon was a psycho or a softie?

[thaumasiotes]

I don't think either of those circumstances would disturb a description of the system as "consistent".

If the local goon is too harsh or too soft, he'll be replaced by a goon more in line with the values of the organization.

[RestlessMind]

(Assuming you are not trolling and asking this genuinely)

I can vote for local taxes - either directly via ballot propositions in California or indirectly by electing the people who will decide these taxes. Can I vote for the mafia here?

There is a predictability with taxes - I know exactly how much I am going to pay, how and when the tax rate is going to change etc. Any change comes with sufficient notice and always subject to a democratic process which I can participate in (town halls, petitions to governments, elections). What is the predictability / process here?

Taxes are still constrained to the constitutional framework of the USA. And there is a clearly defined legislative process which people can follow in case they think taxes are unjust. Judicial rulings are enforced throughout the country. What is the process here to address my grievances? Is it predictable or subject to whims of the local mafia?