[anamax]

> Also, I don't understand why the HN community should view this as hostile

We view it as hostile because they're taking our money to do it.

You want my money for your biz? Ask me. Don't take it from thugs who took it from me at the point of a gun.

Yes, I've heard all of the "but taxes go for good things". Maybe some do, but ...

Here's my test. If I'm not willing to fund something by pointing a gun at my mother and saying "give me money", it shouldn't be paid for with tax money. Why? Because taxes come from pointing a gun at folks, including my mother.

Is your biz so worthy that I should point a gun at my mother?

[jfoutz]

Man, I'm glad I'm in the US, where the use of deadly force is clearly outlined.

It must suck to get a gun pulled on your mom for not paying taxes.

[anamax]

Ha Ha.

Seriously - do you really want to argue that taxes aren't taken using a threat of violence?

[kingkawn]

How many of the money-losing ventures here pay taxes, seriously?

[anamax]

Why does that matter?

Do you really want to argue that it's okay to take other people's money?

[kingkawn]

It is okay for the government to do that, yes, because they're spending it on stuff that everyone needs in order to have a functional society that allows you to consider making money in the first place.

[anamax]

Some govt spending might meet that description, but do you really think that it all does? If not, what fraction does?

And, even for the money that is spent that way, how do you get from "everyone needs" to "should be funded by govt". For example, everyone needs shoes. Should govt provide shoes?