The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. And this post will be too damned long. I apologize.
Even though I officially joined the Ricochet family over a year ago, I’ve not posted, commented, or initiated a conversation. Instead, I’ve lurked. And I’ve been more than slightly resentful that the trigger that convinced me to join were the promised Long/Goldberg/Steyn chats – of which there have been a grand total of ONE. Guys, come on.
Nevertheless – not that I’m not still waiting for that second chat at all (I AM!) – the Ricochet enterprise is worthwhile, terrific, and edifying. Ricochet members are the best, and the conversations are high-level and brilliant. Kudos to you all. (Still, though….)
Okay. I’m the author of 15 novels. The last one debuted at #3 on the New York Times Bestseller List. I’m doing well. Finally, after 53 years of busting my butt in business and now writing, well, I’m living the dream. Like most of the 1% (I’d guess) I didn’t come from money. My parents wouldn’t even know money if it whapped them upside the head. Now, at last, it’s rolling in.
Here’s my proposition. When it comes to taxes and our government, I simply want to opt out. I want our government to defend me and my children from bad guys, but beyond that I don’t expect (or want) more. Obviously, I side with conservatives and libertarians more than liberals or progressives or I wouldn’t be here. But I can’t honestly say I trust anyone in government. Which leads to my proposition: I want to opt out.
BACKGROUND (and this is important): I live in a flyover state that belongs 50% to the feds (Wyoming). Think about it. I live in a massive western state administered by unelected federal bureaucrats who call the shots when it comes to land use, resource management, and access to the land that feeds and nurtures us. Therefore, I (and my neighbors) have an intimate relationship with our federal government in a way many don’t comprehend or understand. And many of those feds are simpering bastards. So… to my proposition.
I would gladly, willingly, joyfully sign a contract or agreement with my government that said I would pay 20-25% of my income (which is low seven figures this year thanks to my readers) if they’d just LEAVE ME THE [EXPLETIVE] ALONE. Meaning I can buy and use the light bulbs I want to buy and use the toilet I want to flush (once, not twice), etc. I could buy health insurance or pay cash to my doctor if I chose, send my children across town to the school I chose, and show a biometric “Opt Out” card to the TSA at airports so I wouldn’t be treated like a criminal for the crime of travelling.
In exchange, I’d agree in writing not to accept any government entitlements; i.e. Social Security, Medicare, etc. Nothing. I don’t want a dime of it. My money would go to the poor saps who need or (sadly) simply want it. I’d consider it protection money in the same way that a small business pays the local mafia not to mess up their place of business. In my part of the world, it has come to this.
The pure ideological types will object to this. I understand. But I'd guess they don't live where I do, or comprehend what it's like to be so far gone there is no going back. I wish it were different, but it isn't.
If Mitt Romney supported the “Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone” Opt-Out Option, I would donate to Mitt.
Who is with me?*
*Obviously, there are complications to the “Opt-Out” clause. I know that. Things like driving on taxpayer-funded highways, blah-blah-blah. But if they got 20-25% of my income with no obligation to send any of it back to me, I think the saps and losers actually win. Which means the federal government.
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Comments:
Jul '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
I'll join you partner. Can we go kill some wolves while we're at it since the feds cannot seem to leave your ranchers alone to protect their herds. In some long ago read Heinlein novel I remember a man who just paid the feds some percentage without really filing and somehow got away with it.
I like your American success story. One cannot be sure Romney will leave you alone but I am darn sure Obama has his malicious eye on you.
Apr '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
I thought your segment on Hinderaker-Ward went well.
You're well behind the pack in complaining about the scarcity of SGL, and with Jonah's new book and Rob's new show, I don't imagine that's going to change.
Jul '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
I am in.
Mar '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Hi, C.J.! I too was motivated to join by the SGI podcast (and the then incipient price hike at Starbucks). Getting all three of those guys to sit down at the same time is probably harder than herding squirrels with Attention Deficit Disorder.
I really like the Pickett books. There are two more in the pile, but my lips only move so fast.
As to opting out, the system as currently constructed would collapse, but then it's going to collapse anyway without fundamental change. It would end up being like that guy in Tennessee who didn't want to pay the $75 fire department fee until his house was on fire.
Apr '12
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
I'm assuming you still want to benefit from military defense, and the federal court system. If we were to reorient or military toward defense, rather than nation building/intervenionist activities, I'm quite certain you could pay everything from the feds with far far less than 20%.
City, State government is a different matter. I'm sure you'd want police, fire, and EMS services... but even still I'm thinking no more than 5%, AT MOST.
If our government was run in the spirit of the constitution, it might even be possible to fund it entirely through voluntary taxation. It would cost almost nothing; compared to what we have now anyway.
Feb '12
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
You should read the code of conduct. So a good post doesn't get removed
Apr '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Currently listening to Free Fire. Need to get the second book on Audible.
Anyway, I also think 25% is to high for the opt out. Should be able to do it all for that. I forsee that once somebody opts out, we would not have the cojones to let that person suffer if they needed help in the future.
In reality, the trend is going the other way. The feds are going to opt out the wealthy from medicare and Social Security and make them pay.
By the way I am trying to convince the family to hit Yellowstone this summer instead of Seattle based on Joe Pickett. Wish me luck.
Nov '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
You're proposing an extortion scheme where the government takes only a fifth of your income to leave you alone?
And your fellow citizens will never agree. They want to tell you what to do for your own good.
My friend, I appreciate your sentiments, but you know it'll never work. It'll break down the first time you want to light up a joint.
Oct '10
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
I second the Long/Goldberg/Steyn reunion! That was a main reason we signed up for the monthly cup o' joe from the flagship Starbucks. Sure, it's been well worth it, but ...
Oct '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Yeah. I'm in.
Where in Wyoming are you? I seriously considered the west side of the Wind Rivers for a while, but it is just too hard for a software guy to work in the mountain fastness.
Jan '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
On my cable bill, I have a distinction between "basic" and "premium" services.
On my government bill (Form 1040), why can't I have the same?
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Thank you for the comments and kind words thus far. Of course I would happily pay less if the terms were the same.
I ran this idea past a Leftie friend of mine in California, telling him that he would be the beneficiary of my opt-out since all my protection money would go to him and his ilk but he'd have to stop lecturing me about my large carbon footprint and eating red meat. He seemed uncomfortable with the idea.
Jan '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Grand total of 1 SGL? There have been 3: Misty, Meerkats take down Cheney, and Butch Key. Check out http://ricochet.com/members/ricochet-roundtable and I envy you the joy of listening to them for the first time. I was hoping they would at least record the NR cruise SGL as they promised.
As to opting out for 25%, the wealth redistributionists will never go for that low a percentage.
Jun '10
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
The idea that some people can opt out is just silly. We're either one nation, or we're not. While I sympathize with your position, the answer is rather simple: limited government. Unfortunately, what we have on our hands now is Leviathan in spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs. Not to mention no trump.
The solution to Wyoming's problems, and the west in general, is rather simple. Put the BLM out of business. Any federal land with ranching, mining, or oil potential should be sold off to the highest bidder and the proceeds used to pay down our national debt. Whatever is left over could be returned in block grants to the respective states.
What about the EPA, you say? Put it out of business as well. The states are perfectly capable of setting and enforcing their own environmental codes. Offshore oil can be placed under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard.
There is no problem we face that can't be solved with the mechanisms created by the Founding Fathers. States rights, baby! The 10th Amendment should be the fall back position for all true conservatives and libertarians.
Jan '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Rob and Peter talk every week about the need to attract more members. I found the site from a link from Steyn, and I also have been disappointed he has not been visible since. I love Ricochet and read it several times a day, but can you say Bait and Switch. perhaps a good tool to recruit more members would be a survey to learn how current members found the site to begin with, and to continue with what is most popular!
Nov '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Or you could move to France.
But seriously, I don't get it that libertarian types fancy themselves the most practical of political creatures--stern, no nonsense fellows who aren't afraid to make their own way in the real world . . . but then most everything they propose belongs in the category of "ain't never gonna happen in a million years in the real world."
Yet while explaining your "ain't never gonna happen" proposition, you complain that "pure ideological types will object to this." Hmmm???
And then there's that libertarian habit of dismissing bothersome "complications" with a lazy "blah, blah, blah."
Instead of opting out (the political equivalent of holding your breath until you turn blue and pass out), why not get in the game (i.e., get to work doing something practical about the things you don't like)?
Apr '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Astonishing is right. The libertarian impulse to just want to opt out, hide, leave, etc...are silly. You are either a full member of society or your not. There is no real middle ground in this. If you disengage in a democracy you only risk the government drifting further from your ideals and intentions.
What will stop the the rest of us from "renegotiating" our leave you the &$*# Alone Contract? Maybe up the percent a point or two...what will you do?
Apr '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
The problem with your thesis is that it's central tenets focus on you. However there are thousands of Elizabeth Warren types in Washington that feel (feeling equals knowing) that you derive benefit from your location and therefore are required to pay for it. This is one reason why taxation arguments are a nonstarter. Focus must be placed on spending reduction. What ways are bureaucrats spending your money and why are they doing a better job of it than you can? I know whereof you speak. I live in a county that is 90% owned by state and federal governments and it's not enough. They want to control everything. Limited government through controlled spending is the conservative's way out of the woods.
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
It is a thesis that has some problems, but what really has problems is our current situation. It's unsustainable. A government of this size and scope can not operate much longer. All of our entitlement programs are out of money. Regulation is killing the economy. I'm worried that everything is going to implode and would like some good ideas for how to survive that implosion with the least amount of trauma to my kids and (God-willing) grandkids.
Nov '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
The other problem with this is the old saying