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This post might piss off some people but I’ve been thinking about it a lot and it’s bothering me too much not to share it. People say that the cost of freedom is constant diligence. Whether that’s fighting for it politically, through lawyers, or avoiding tyrants through loopholes and sly roundabout ways. But the thing is that these are all still costs. You’re paying with time, resources, and/or effort. You are paying for freedom! I don’t see how paying for freedom this way differs from paying for freedom through taxes. The costs are significantly different but you are still paying. I am not a statist by any means. I don’t believe in democracy, the constitution, or any form of compulsorily and violently organized society. History has shown us these things all fail to preserve freedom. I am now starting to think that freedom is an illusion. If you have to pay taxes to be free from violent men with guns, then you are not free. Similarly, if you have to constantly fight off corrupt grifters in the political world you are also not free. If you have to maintain constant awareness of new laws and loopholes to avoid prosecution, you are not free. The real difference is in the cost being paid and the cost doesn’t have to be financial. Sometimes the costs are massive like 40% taxes. Sometimes the costs are time and effort. The cost can be smaller, but you still incur a cost. And the cost never ends. “Freedom isn’t free.” You don’t gain freedom and then enjoy it for the rest of your life. You have to constantly defend that freedom and that is a cost (directly or indirectly). Do free people pay for freedom? I don’t think so which is why I’m starting to think that freedom is an illusion. You are never really free if you have to maintain constant diligence forever. Free men are not constantly looking over their shoulders.

Freedom seems more like an emotional state to me. You can be free today but that can change tomorrow just like you can be happy right now and sad the next day. What do you think? Respectfully share your thoughts with me. I value freedom and it’s something that I want for everyone but we might be thinking of it the wrong way. I’m open to changing my mind. Oh and fuck the state.

Comte de Sats Germain 9mo ago

These are worthwhile thoughts. That's the economics of freedom - whatever freedom costs is the amount the parasites can steal without being challenged.

But freedom itself isn't an illusion, IMO. Its like willpower - everyone thinks they have it, but almost no one ever tests it and proves it. Willpower and freedom both only grow when you choose to do the difficult thing.

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Discussion

MAHDOOD 9mo ago

I guess the main point is that paying for freedom feels like something a slave would do. We always have to pay for freedom even if it’s not with money. The founding fathers paid for it through literal war. Countless people had to die. That’s the cost they paid to be free. But if you have to pay to be free and continuously pay to remain free, then I don’t believe that is actually freedom. It just seems like an oxymoron.

Comte de Sats Germain 9mo ago

There are plenty of cracks in the system. My favorite one is what I call, "the subtle art of saying okay but then doing wgsteger I want."

MAHDOOD 9mo ago

Hahaha that’s a powerful one although the cost is your pride in a way. But ehhh if it gets you to leave me alone 🤷‍♂️😂

Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why? 9mo ago

Freedom is not free, and no one is 100% free until all people respect property rights. This is an unobtainable ideal, but still worth striving for. So we must find ways to maximize our freedom at the lowest cost, while respecting the propertyrights of others. Self-rule, education, and self-defense tech are the way.

MAHDOOD 9mo ago

I really think that freedom is like happiness. You have to constantly work toward it or risk losing it. You may stumble at times but you can always get back up and get on track.