The Peoples Council
Part 2 - Taxes & Roads
Author - James The Traveller
Publish Date - 1st September 2023 - 2911 Words
A man stood up, wearing a white collared shirt.
“So what do we do about taxes? Do we just stop paying them or what?”
Theresa decided to answer this one.
“There are many who don’t believe we have the moral right to pay taxes, as any money we hand over to the government further empowers them to demand more and more from us.
The more we yield and obey them, the more we are teaching them that extortion is acceptable and that they have the right to walk all over us.
We shouldn't be encouraging our own subjugation or funding the subjugation of others.
An idea what we could do is this.
Every business of their own accord stops charging tax on their products and services.
The same goes with anyone who has the power to not pay taxes.
If your employer automatically deducts taxes from your wage, then maybe you should find a new job which doesn't support funding a criminal organisation.”
The white shirt man nodded and asked another question.
“Ok, I see, but if we stop paying taxes as a whole to the government, isn’t it likely that they’ll stop funding us?
How are we going to fix the roads and build new ones?
What about maintaining our hospital or paying for emergency services?
Rubbish pickup, town tidiness, public garden maintenance?
How are we supposed to pay for all of these things?”
“Great question” Theresa replied.
“Just the same way as everything else.
Through the support of the people who realise it’s value.
A store selling shoes doesn't need to force anyone to go and buy their shoes, do they?
They offer an item of value, people recognise it’s value and support that business by exchanging cash for shoes.
No one is forced to build a supermarket, butchers or grocers.
There is no need for a law to say, ‘you must give 10% of your income to build a supermarket’ because people already see the value in a supermarket, people want food!
People are already willing to provide value in return for a different kind of value.
Does that make sense?”
Concerns About Roads
“It’s starting to” The white shirted man said.
“But roads are really expensive, why would people donate or volunteer to build them?”
Theresa laughed.
“Why do you think...?”
“You can call me Frank. I think they won’t want to donate towards building a road and paying for it’s constant repair.”
“Very interesting, isn't it Frank. People are forced to do so now and use it as a justification for why we are robbed by the tax department.
Yet all of a sudden, when the threat of violence disappears, something which they found to be of extreme value, is now not even worth donating too?
Very contradictory isn't it?”
“Hmm I see your point. But still. How would it work? Because we don’t want to go back to the dark ages and have bad roads and foot paths, do we?”
Theresa and the panel of speakers laughed.
Larry raised his mic and said “Oh mate, when we build our new roads, we’ll look at what we have now as the dark ages!”
Frank raised his eyebrows, doubting the sincerity of Larry’s words.
“Ok, go on then, explain.”
Theresa continued her explanation.
“The way we build our roads and what we build them from needs to be addressed first.
They are currently too expensive to make, install and repair.
The current manufacturing process is also toxic for the workers and environment.
The longevity of the road material is also so poor we should never have even been using it.
It takes far too long to build new roads and causes many traffic issues when repairing them.
They’re also very dangerous when they break with cracks and potholes and can cause damage to cars, motorbikes and even result in fatal accidents.
It’s totally nonviable. It’s not worth it to build roads the way we do now, with asphalt and bitumen.
Our current roads are too expensive, too toxic, take too long to build, require constant maintenance and are extremely low quality.
The roads we have now are the definition of the dark ages.
It doesn't matter which country you are in.
The roads vary from low quality to downright terrible.
Building high quality roads and accompanying foot paths is a very high priority of ours.
Why Our Current Roads Are So Bad
Alex stood up.
“Before you explain an alternative way to build roads Theresa, I just want to spark some thought about why we have the current roads we do, if I may?”
“Go ahead, please”
“If there was a way to build roads very cheaply, quickly, so they lasted much longer, were less toxic and were much easier to repair, why wouldn't the government approve of this?
Or should I ask, why would they want this?
By making them cheaper to build, this means they wouldn't have a valid reason to charge such high taxes, make people pay for rego and have a tax on petrol.
Because roads are so expensive to build, the government appears to have a legitimate reason to extort large sums of money to cover the enormous cost of building and maintaining roads.
Why would they want to charge so many taxes and collect so much money from the people?
For two reasons, which are the same two reasons as for any example where they tax us.
First, to have more money in their pockets so they can increase their personal salaries.
Second, which is the real reason they do it, is so that you have less money in your pocket, which means you have less ability and opportunity to live your life doing what you want.
If they have more money and you have less, this creates a bigger divide between the ruling class and the worker class.
Which does what….?” Alex asked of the audience.
“It makes us easier to control”. Answered a young man in his late teens from the second row.
“Correct. Tax is always about only two things.
Making the lives of the people who take your money better and making the lives of those who have been robbed worse.
So why would they want to keep a toxic manufacturing process compared to a safe one?”
The same young man answered.
“Because when people get sick, they go to big pharma and western doctors for help and from there become a life long customer of their literally, sickening business model.
They want people to get sick so they can make more profits and because sick people are easier to control.
It’s not just easier to control sick people but also the healthy people who look after them.
Especially in countries where ‘medicine’ is expensive, it keeps the healthy people stuck in work bondage to afford the expensive drugs to look after their sick friend or family member.
‘Well said young man, that’s spot on!” Answered Alex.
“So why else would the government and by extension, the control system prefer a road building strategy which is lengthy and always requires work to maintain? Anyone?”
The Cycle Of Control
The young man was on a role.
“Because it keeps them in work bondage, or otherwise called, servitude.
Instead of doing what they want, creating and living their passions, they’re stuck doing a job which takes years out of their life when it should only take weeks.
It’s the cycle of control.
Make the general population slave away building low quality products and buildings.
Make them pay taxes on everything so they have very little to show for the work they’ve done.
Then make them continue to work because they got taxed so much and because everything they do is super low quality.
Which means it needs to be fixed, which means they aren't able to start or build new things.
If people built things right the first time, whether it be a motorbike, computer, apartment block or road, in a way which was to the highest quality possible and which required only very little maintenance, if any, they would have much more free time to do what they want.
Whether that be enjoying their hobbies or building more high quality infrastructure and products that everyone could benefit from.
Combining low quality products, whether those products be cars, roads or houses, with added taxes, you have a fantastic recipe for keeping people busy doing what you want them to be doing.
Which from the governments point of view, is to struggle for survival.
It’s hard for people to engage in higher level thinking when they are struggling for survival, constantly slaving away doing things they shouldn't be doing and then spending most of their earnings just to survive.
Paying for rent, repaying a mortgage, paying for food, electricity, internet, water, petrol, car maintenance and entertainment.
All the money people earn is taxed and then everything they spend that money on is taxed.
No wonder most people struggle to be really ‘successful’ and the wealth gap continues to grow.
Some people figure out a way to live comfortably, despite the current system, not because of it.
But some people is not everyone and those some are far, far too few.”
The crowd clapped and cheered at the young mans brilliance.
“Wowee, how old are you mate”? Asked Alex.
“I’m 19. I’m Jake by the way.”
“Man, I wish I knew what you know at your age. Well done, keep up the good work.”
“Thanks.”
Road Solutions
“Back over to you Theresa.” Offered Alex.
Theresa looked back at Frank the white shirt man and continued to answer his concerns about roads.
A popular alternative to building roads with asphalt and bitumen is to build them with recycled plastic.
This is beneficial for many reasons.
It helps clean up and utilise some of the huge amount of plastic waste every country has.
Recycled plastic roads are much cheaper to build, last much longer, are stronger and are better for water drainage.
A plastic road was built in the Netherlands that was made from recycled plastic blocks.
This made the road building time significantly quicker than traditional methods.
What’s so good about this?
Well it means that the people who are volunteering to build new roads, whether for free or getting paid in some form of currency, have to work for a fraction of the time they normally would, yet at the same time, they are delivering a much higher quality result.
This is better for everyone.
They also last much longer so there would be far less energy, effort, and currency required to repair them.
Alternative technical solutions to our current problems is a huge factor in moving towards Utopia.
It’s not all just about a mindset shift.
I guess when you break it down, building a better world really is about those two things.
Shifting mindsets and creating better technical solutions.
Because shifting mindsets is far more difficult and time consuming then creating and implementing technical solutions, can you see why Frank it took us a while to answer your very simple question of ‘what do we do about roads’?
“Yes, thank you for the explanation, but still, if we aren't paying taxes, how do these new and improved roads get built?”
“Do you think you’d be able to answer that question Frank? Have a try.” Invited Theresa.
“Ok, let me think, volunteers and donations”?
“That’s right. If people had two options, the first being to keep things the same and the second being to try this new approach, what do you think they would choose?
“It’s still hard to say at this point..”
Taxation Vs Donations
“Ok, let me give you an example of taxation vs donations.
If we kept things the same, everyone in Frocksville would be taxed $10,000 each over a two year period to build and maintain our current dangerous and toxic roads.
This would be taxed from their income, on the registration they pay and their petrol taxes, just to name a few.
If we adopted this new method of building recycled plastic roads, we would only need 50% of people to donate less than $1,000 each to build and maintain our safer and more environmentally friendly roads over a 10 year period.
Why is our new method so much cheaper?
Because we’re using recycled plastic garbage and the labour time is approximately a third.
So why would people donate to do this?
Because they would be saving a ton of money, an absolute ton and they would be getting much higher quality roads.
Which means it’s less likely they could have an accident because of a pothole or have to pay to replace a busted wheel or suspension.
Also the peace of mind that the people who volunteer to build the roads don’t have to work nearly as hard or as long as they used to.
Plus they would be cleaning up the environment and using plastic waste for something good.”
Frank scratched his head in thought.
“Alright, yes that does make sense, I see how it’s much preferable now, but what about the other 50% of people who don’t donate to build the roads.
That’s not fair is it? Should they not be allowed to drive on the roads then?”
Larry piped up.
“So what would you have us do? Violently stop them from travelling freely?”
‘Um, well no, but if they didn't contribute with donations, they shouldn't be allowed to use the roads.”
“So what would you do then? Would you stand there at the entrance to roads and tell people they can’t drive on them, and if they did would you personally use violence against a peaceful person?”
“Well, um, I wouldn't do that no.”
“So you wouldn't do that, but someone else should, is that what you’re saying?”
“Ahhh...”
“So why wouldn't you do it? Is it because you don't want to or that you know it’s wrong?
Because if it’s wrong for you to do, why would it be right for anyone else to do?”
“Hmmm, you got me there. I concede Ok” Frank put up his arms and laughed embarrassingly.
“Don’t worry mate, there’s still plenty of people who haven't thought it through like this.
Now you can explain it to them.” Larry winked at Frank.
Theresa continued.
It’s actually a good thing that not everyone has to donate towards something to make it happen.
If a new race car track wouldn't be built until everyone in the town was forced to give money towards its creation, well that wouldn't be so great.
But that’s not what happens, only a small amount of people donate or pay for a project then open it up to everyone.
The 50% of people who didn't donate for the road now have extra money to put towards something else.
Everyone values something enough to donate towards.
Different people have different priorities and values.
Perhaps some of those people didn't donate towards roads but decided to donate towards a new natural health care facility.
Some of them may have preferred to support a new drug rehab centre.
A small percentage of people will never want to donate, no matter what.
Just because a minority of people don't donate towards causes does not mean they should be excluded from using things we all have a right to use.
Like trains or public roads and bridges.
And just because they’re not donating doesn't mean they aren’t contributing.
They are still more likely than not doing some kind of work offering value to people.
Even if they are a dole bludger and don't work, they would be spending their currency, whether national or an alternative like the freedom credit, supporting business’s getting the things that they want.
It still is a form of contribution.
Although, I don't think it’s anything to worry about as you’ll find the majority more than willing to donate and volunteer for things.
Look how many people do it even today in our current society.
With a lot more money in their pocket, actual choice of what they want to support and much higher quality projects, it’s seems much more likely than not that people will not only willingly donate, they’ll be excited to.
This way when a new road or bridge is built, they can say they had a direct influence and impact on it’s construction.
This will be much more rewarding and satisfying than simply being coerced under the threat of punishment to pay taxes towards things you have no control over and typically don’t want.
Are you satisfied with that answer now Frank?”
Frank nodded.
“I’ve learnt a lot just now. Let me see if I get it. So instead of being forced to pay taxes to pay for things we don't necessarily want, like war, extreme surveillance, massive politician salaries and poor quality roads, we don’t pay tax and instead donate and volunteer for the things we find valuable?”
“Yes, exactly. If the people of Frocksville don't think high quality roads and footpaths are important, they won’t donate.
If people don't donate, then we get stuck with potholes and crappy roads. Do you think that’s a likely scenario?”
Frank shook his head.
“No, definitely not. People don't want their fancy cars getting busted wheels.
People will donate because roads are an important part of daily life for everyone, everywhere.”
“Bingo. I hope that makes more sense for everyone now.”
