Yes. As a free and individual sovereign person I feel as if I own the money that I earn and I own the political power that I was born with. I choose to apply both of those assets to the best of my ability. I expect others to do the same.

Our government was founded on a tax revolt. Remember "no taxation without representation"? We, the people, are the original holders of money and power. Nobody else. If we reach a state where, god forbid, we are being taxed for more things we do not allocate our political power for, then -- something will happen. People will leave, new leaders will be elected, there will be a balanced budget amendment -- something. And if everybody had to write out those multi-thousand-dollar checks every quarter, there would be a lot more scrutiny than there is today.

And the day I let the government decide whether/where I should be working, in absence of a war, is the day that I stop being a voluntary citizen.

I find it interesting that your argument basically consists of impeaching your opposition (me). I'd argue that no amount of planning can eliminate the problem I've outlined. If planning could account for all economic conditions, how did the banks get where they are today? How come economists can't predict the economy four years out? I've had gigs that ran week-to-week for over a year and ended suddenly. If you've got some magic pixie dust that lets you plan a year out, I'd love to have some.

So yes, continue slamming me for the failure of your model to include reality. I'm a poor planner, I'm selfish, I have a bad attitude. One imagines the list is endless. Perhaps I am not a patriot as well? Who needs logic when simple ad hominem attacks work so well. (And it is ad hominem for instead of acknowledging that I am simply presenting a case for your consideration, you've focused this conversation on your personal opinion of my finances, morality, and planning -- none of which changes the nature of the debate and the only goal of which is to insulate yourself from thinking through this) Even if you are right, if people are naturally poor planners and selfish, etc, you still have to account for the fact that the system doesn't work. But you don't want to go there. You'd rather talk about how bad the people are.

Since this is where you've taken us, I think it's a good time to bow out.