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.
- Comment (54)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (8)
Comments:
Jul '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
More cowboys on ricochet is perfect for me C. J. Box, maybe you even fish and kill critters. Which of your books would you suggest first? Give us a shameless plug.
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Thanks for the opportunity, DocJay. I'd suggest OPEN SEASON if you think you might want to tackle the 12-book series (so far) featuring Joe Pickett. If you want a sampler, I'd suggest a stand-alone, either BLUE HEAVEN or BACK OF BEYOND. If you like those, you should like the series as well.
Oct '10
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
I'm with you in spirit but opting out does not fix the problem and sooner or later the feds would be wetting their beaks at a rate of 100%. No, what we need are TERM LIMITS. As it is now lifetime Pols need to spend more and more of OUR money to keep their nasty derrieres planted in DC where the cycle continues unabated. Were they only there for some limited time and if they had to actually return to the private sector they'd be much more willing to limit government.
I'd very much like to see a study of net value trajectories for every elected member of the US government. Lots of these people of meager ability/accomplishments have vastly increased their wealth at the public trough.
I like the reconciliation program of the old Venetian Republic - if either the Doge, his family or associates were seen to have benefited from the Doge's position there was a very nasty reckoning, including anything from confiscation of all property to confiscation of one's life, with some swell punishments in between.
Forcing these pecker-woods out of Washington in a timely manner is the only chance we have.
Jul '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Pickett was the wife's maiden name so you settled it. One of my patients does romance novels with morals and has sold some 30 million. She told me you better love your lead character each book because you darn well might be married to them for a decade. Judging by your state, hat, and views of the government I suspect Joe is up my alley.
Dec '10
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Land, Water, Food, Shelter. These are the things you absolutely need to survive.
Add guns and ammunition to aid you in keeping the above once you've attained it.
Add tangible and useful skills to help you make a living to maintain the above (including the guns and ammo, as gunsmithing and reloading are both tangible and useful skills).
Being a writer or journalist is fine when people have wealth to burn on things like that, but when the belt gets tight, it is going to be very hard indeed to get people to trade a ham or a box of ammo for a story you wrote, not matter how good it is.
BUT, if you can reload ammo, or if you have a machine shop (and know how to use it), or if you are able to work wood into furniture or boats or wagons or whatever, or if you can build houses or barns or bridges, THOSE skills will bring you a living in trade regardless of how tight people's belts get.
Diversify to survive.
Jul '10
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Wow, I just put two and two together - you're that author! I'm employed at a library and wondered about your books, whether they were worth reading (so many modern fiction writers are quite liberal- Cussler, Baldacci, Grisham) so I don't waste my time reading socialist manifestos disguised as literature (now that's just mean and probably oversimplified but I stand by it). I do try to seek out and promote conservative fiction writers (Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Andrew Klavan, et al) donating (if we don't have them) and prominently displaying their books on the shelves where, now that I know who you are, your books will receive that honor. I say Amen to everything you wrote about opting-out and a triple Amen to having Steyn/Goldberg back as regulars (the two most compelling reasons I had for joining in the first place). Speaking of Wyoming, I recently donated the book, Molon Labe! by Boston T. Party to the library and it's the only copy in the Mid-Hudson library system, which includes towns such as Woodstock and New Paltz- anyone surprised? However, it does circulate, so there are rebels lurking about even here!
Nov '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Another "blah-blah-blah" complication: Does the library system where you're employed receive any federal dollars? If it does, when you opt out, I guess you'll have to stop going there.
Edited on April 26, 2012 at 3:30pmNov '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Here!
Jul '10
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Astonishing
Another "blah-blah-blah" complication: Does the library system where you're employed receive any federal dollars? If it does, when you opt out, I guess you'll have to stop going there. · 5 hours ago
Edited 4 hours ago
I would extend the opt-out concept to include: schools- private, charter and home schools do an phenomenal job compared to public (government) schools; the mail system- United States Postal Service can't even compete with UPS and FedEx in efficiency and fiscal policies); airport security (I'll take ANY private-owned company over the perverted TSA); also social security, health care, energy companies, car companies, radio, television, banks, and I dare say, libraries, and just about anything else you could think of works cheaper, better and more efficiently if privatized. Capitalism creates competition which creates quality. Statism suppresses liberty which creates dependency and decline.
May '10
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
This is another lurker waiting -- praying -- for more Long/Goldberg/Steyn podcasts.
One of the great political ironies is that it was Louis Brandeis who coined the phrase "right to be left alone." Given that Brandeis is one of the progenitors of the Progressive Movement, it's clear he didn't really mean it. Here's hoping we get a government that means it.
Nov '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Marlene Cowan
Astonishing
Does the library system where you're employed receive any federal dollars? If it does, when you opt out, I guess you'll have to stop going there.
I would extend the opt-out concept to include: schools . . . mail system . . . social security, health care, . . . and I dare say, libraries, and just about anything else you could think of works cheaper, better and more efficiently if privatized. . . .
I generally agree about the wonders of private enterprise and voluntary associations.
But like a very good rhetorician, you avoided my objection by changing the premise to one I can't disagree with. Very sly!
Remember, the original premise was: "Central government wastes too much of your money without returning your fair share," and that's the moral justification for an opt-out.
But instead of answering my objection based on that original premise, you posited a new premise: "Government sticks its proper role and leaves the rest to private enterprise," at which point there's no moral justification for an individual to opt-out.
How am I supposed to argue with that?
Edited on April 27, 2012 at 12:17amRe: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Marlene Cowen defines the Opt-Out Proposition better than I did. She makes me want to sign up twice!
May '10
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Fred Cole: The other problem with this is the old saying
Apr 25 at 7:47am
Well, not THAT old. You quote Kipling's famous poem. Here's a bigger piece:
It is always a temptation to a rich and lazy nation,
To puff and look important and to say:
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
We will therefore pay you cash to go away."
And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we’ve proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.
Apr '11
Re: The Leave Me The [Expletive] Alone Opt-Out Proposition
Agreed. I'm another Ricochet lurker who found the site via Steyn and joined up for a year as soon as they put him behind the paywall. I too love Ricochet but lament that I was basically duped into joining. Why is it that nobody in charge here can even acknowledge the bait and switch, let alone apologize for it?
The more times this topic is brought up only to be ignored by the editors, the less likely I am to rejoin when my membership is up, although of course I would only be cutting off my nose to spite my face.