I Stole This From Bruce....

[Leopardsocks]

But it does raise some interesting philosophical and philanthropic issues.



Firstly, although the defendant is probably suffering a mental illness (which doesn't mean he is handicapped), he stands on the position that there is a universal law, and thus the "law" created by governments and corporations are invalid.



This is not, in my view, an untenable position.



There were no codified laws hundreds of years ago. Law, such as it was, were cultural imperatives that a tribal head, or chieftain applied to maintain peace, safety and the best interest of the tribe.



One man could not impose his will on the tribe, unless the tribe agreed and accepted the authority of the chief.



Modern law, as complex, perverse, corrupt and illogical as it is, is no different. We have abrogated our responsibility to ensure laws serve us well, and as a result, they don't. The recognition of this situation is widespread. The temptation to return to a simpler form of government that harks back to universal laws is growing. The law, like politics and religion, has become the fortress behind which those that lust for power and wealth barricade them self.



Unfortunately, the law's power is only what we endow it with. In the event that we dis-empower it, those that seek its protection to continue to deceive, and steal will suddenly find themselves naked and vulnerable.



The accrual of wealth and power beyond reason and contrary to the best interests of the tribe is a crime against humanity. Its a shame that when we see men like these, who see with crystal clarity, we think they are the crazy ones.



Power to you, you daffy old coot. Were I as brave as you... ac_umm

[keeper]

ac_lmfao  Get back here and finish this!!!



Stubborn old bastard....  ac_huh

[Romero]

Its a shame that when we see men like these, who see with crystal clarity, we think they are the crazy ones.



Power to you, you daffy old coot. Were I as brave as you... ac_umm

He's crazy. One of those "sovereign citizens" who conveniently believe no laws apply to them.



He ended up going to jail. His militia buddies then threatened to citizens' arrest the judge.

[Leopardsocks]

I do not suggest his conduct was appropriate or even sensible.



I am focussing on his philosophical point. For example, he calls the US flag a "jolly roger". I think he is quite right. Governments have become larcenous, self serving parasites on the common purse.



Let me ask you this; a man tells you he will run and organise your house for you, including making the rules that will apply to the day to day running. He will charge you $10.



Seems like a good deal, so you agree. He washes your car, and stops kids running in the hallway. He takes in the washing, buys the groceries and cooks.



One day, he tells you that you must pay $100. You balk, but he shows you the new rule that says you must pay $100. You tell him you refuse.



He then tells you you can't refuse...because its in the rules.



You tell them you don't want his services.



He tells you that you cannot severe the relationship because...



You challenge the man in court. He wins. Because....



In the meantime, the man has rescinded performing a number of tasks, and has started a fight with the next door neighbour, and so the payment rate has gone to $150 so he can buy guns and ammunition.



If such a scenario were placed before you, you'd laugh and walk away.



But that is life in a western democracy.

[Anonymous]

I do not suggest his conduct was appropriate or even sensible.



I am focussing on his philosophical point. For example, he calls the US flag a "jolly roger". I think he is quite right. Governments have become larcenous, self serving parasites on the common purse.



Let me ask you this; a man tells you he will run and organise your house for you, including making the rules that will apply to the day to day running. He will charge you $10.



Seems like a good deal, so you agree. He washes your car, and stops kids running in the hallway. He takes in the washing, buys the groceries and cooks.



One day, he tells you that you must pay $100. You balk, but he shows you the new rule that says you must pay $100. You tell him you refuse.



He then tells you you can't refuse...because its in the rules.



You tell them you don't want his services.



He tells you that you cannot severe the relationship because...



You challenge the man in court. He wins. Because....



In the meantime, the man has rescinded performing a number of tasks, and has started a fight with the next door neighbour, and so the payment rate has gone to $150 so he can buy guns and ammunition.



If such a scenario were placed before you, you'd laugh and walk away.



But that is life in a western democracy.

I don't vote Leopardsocks.

[easter bunny]

Whatever valid point he may have had about not being subject to manmade laws was pretty much cancelled out when he hopped into an suv and drove off.  ac_tongue

[Leopardsocks]

I don't vote Leopardsocks.

I understand.



In Oz, voting is compulsory...although I suspect not for much longer.



But, NOT voting is condoning the status quo. The real issue is you are not motivated enough to vote because you do not care which party wins, and you are not offered options that would encourage you to do so.



Furthermore, the voting process itself is archaic.



But if someone presented to your electorate with new ideas, and a commitment to change...would you vote then?

[Romero]

I do not suggest his conduct was appropriate or even sensible.



I am focussing on his philosophical point. For example, he calls the US flag a "jolly roger". I think he is quite right. Governments have become larcenous, self serving parasites on the common purse.



Let me ask you this; a man tells you he will run and organise your house for you, including making the rules that will apply to the day to day running. He will charge you $10.



Seems like a good deal, so you agree. He washes your car, and stops kids running in the hallway. He takes in the washing, buys the groceries and cooks.



One day, he tells you that you must pay $100. You balk, but he shows you the new rule that says you must pay $100. You tell him you refuse.



He then tells you you can't refuse...because its in the rules.



You tell them you don't want his services.



He tells you that you cannot severe the relationship because...



You challenge the man in court. He wins. Because....



In the meantime, the man has rescinded performing a number of tasks, and has started a fight with the next door neighbour, and so the payment rate has gone to $150 so he can buy guns and ammunition.



If such a scenario were placed before you, you'd laugh and walk away.



But that is life in a western democracy.

He was only calling the US flag a "Jolly Roger", citing "natural law" and insisting the government is corrupt because he wants to fish without a license.



He would have used the same argument for driving without a license or getting a speeding ticket.

[RW]

Whatever valid point he may have had about not being subject to manmade laws was pretty much cancelled out when he hopped into an suv and drove off.  ac_tongue

I thought the exact same thing!

[easter bunny]

Whatever valid point he may have had about not being subject to manmade laws was pretty much cancelled out when he hopped into an suv and drove off.  ac_tongue

I thought the exact same thing!

 ac_cool

[Renee]

These assholes spouting this natural law crap are all full of shit. They conveniently use the argument that people are not subject to the laws of a civil society so they can act out their self-serving aims and wants.They are a bunch of misanthropic clowns.



Most of them should taken to a public square and stoned.

[Anonymous]

But, NOT voting is condoning the status quo. The real issue is you are not motivated enough to vote because you do not care which party wins, and you are not offered options that would encourage you to do so.



Furthermore, the voting process itself is archaic.



But if someone presented to your electorate with new ideas, and a commitment to change...would you vote then?

Voting is a fucking joke here in North America. It is all about pandering the squeakiest wheels in order to get elected. The only difference between conservative and socialists is that the lefties are at least honest they want a helluva lot more of our hard earned cash.



We have a government here in the province of Alberta that has over spent by $49 billion in the last decade buying labour peace and everyone else in order to maintain their political dynasty. Universal suffrage sucks. The lower the number of people that vote the better. Make it an earned privilege not a birth right.

[RW]

No Sgen, they racked it up by sipping from the oily teet rather than sucking on it heartily.  No provincial taxes, barely any corporate taxation.  Dumbasses.

[Anonymous]

No Sgen, they racked it up by sipping from the oily teet rather than sucking on it heartily.  No provincial taxes, barely any corporate taxation.  Dumbasses.

Not true, Alberta even without debt servicing costs, spends more per capita than any other province except maybe Quebec. Remember, Ralph Klein paid down the deficit and debt, lowered all taxes and launched the sustainability fund with low oil prices like today. Giving Alberta more revenue is like giving a heroin addict your cash. They will blow it. As long as we keep growing spending above the rate of inflation and population growth, we may start carrying debt like other provinces.

[Anonymous]

Yep, just checked it out and Alberta does have the highest government revenue in Canada. Problem is we also spend the most per capita.



Enough of the negative though, despite 8-9 years of reckless spending, Alberta is an economic success story.



Some facts,



1. We have no or little debt(depends which accountants you trust). Ontario is about $17,300 per person, Quebec is just under $21 k/head and BC is about $7900 per person. Alberta has a surplus of about $4300 per person.



2. In 2013, the Alberta economy grew strongly by 3.9%. Alberta has led all provinces in economic growth over the past 20 years, with an average annual GDP growth of 3.5% per year.



3. More than 475,000 new jobs were created between 2003 and 2013.



4. Even with the latest budget adding 59 new taxes we are still the lowest taxed jurisdiction in Canada(although Saskatchewan may challenge us for that title in the future.



5. Most importantly, GDP per capita at $84, 390 is not only the highest of any province in Canada, it is the highest on the continent. Canada is $53,870, BC is $50,121, Ontario is $51,340, Quebec is $44,499 and the oil-rich provinces of Newfoundland and Saskatchewan are $67,838 and $75,232.



Alberta's problems are temporary. Ontario's near 15 year decline is what we should really be worrying about.