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Quote by George Monbiot

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Regenesis: Feeding the World Without Devouring the Planet

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George Monbiot
George Monbiot

George Monbiot is a British writer, environmental activist, and journalist, known for his profound insights and critical analysis of environmental issues. His work covers a wide range of topics, including climate change, consumerism, political corruption, and biodiversity. more

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“Like all good ghost stories, Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" sets a trap for its protagonist. In the classic version of the form[...], the hero is a gentleman of mildly investigatory bent: a scholar, a collector, or an antiquarian. What lures him into the vicinity of the ghost is often intellectual curiosity and, occasionally, greed; what attracts the ghost's wrath or malevolence is the hero's tendency to meddle, to open the sealed room, to root around for treasure, to pocket a souvenir. The hero ("victim" might be a better word) typically hasn't got much personality beyond his intrusiveness; he's just someone inclined to put himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and to rue the consequences.”

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“Tax is a compulsory contribution to government revenues. Compulsory means force, and contribution is a payment. So, taxes are forced payments for services we may or may not use. Theft is taking another person’s property without their permission or consent to deprive the rightful owner of it. Taxation is theft.”

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“One of the most egregious aspects of taxation is its violation of property rights. In a voluntary transaction, both parties agree to an exchange, ensuring a fair trade of goods, services, or money. Conversely, taxation is imposed unilaterally, regardless of an individual’s willingness to participate.”

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“When we compare taxation to private theft, the parallels become evident. If a private entity were to demand money under threat of violence, it would be labeled as extortion or robbery, which are forms of theft. Now, imagine a scenario where a stranger demands a portion of our earnings under the threat of physical harm. This is what taxation does, albeit through the legal system. The distinction lies in perception, a perception that is shaped by propaganda and fallacious education. Yet, from a moral perspective, the act remains the same: taking one’s property without voluntary agreement, a hallmark of theft.”

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Book:The Fallacious Belief in Government: Warp Speed Toward Tyranny
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