[MD] NHS? No thanks

[craigerb at comcast.net]

Case & Arlo, 

[Case] 
> how can you say that you are being "forced" to pay taxes when you voluntarily participate in the
> system?
 

Simple.  Let's say I offer to build a cabinet for you at a certain price.  If I make a profit on the job, the government orders me to give a portion to them, else they will forcibly take it from me.  The former transaction is voluntary (either party can reject the offer without being subject to force).  The latter is not.  

[Case] 
> Beyond this do you seriously think society has no obligation to those who 
> can not take care of themselves.

I hope I have not given the impression that I am not serious.

[Case]
> Children, the disabled, the elderly, we should just let them starve?

No.  But neither should we be forced to remedy the situation.

[Arlo]
> Should we privatize the military? 
> Should we defund public lands and roads (make them all into private tollways)? 
> Should we disband the public libraries and open B&Ns? 
> 
> Why are these not examples of "immoral force" against you? 
> 
> Why should someone who doesn't support the military be forced to pay for it? 
> Isn't that "immoral" ?

I am not an anarchist.  I think a minimal state can be justified (see Robert Nozick, "Anarchy, State and Utopia").  I repeat my proposal:
At age 18 each person selects 1 of 2 options:
Option 1:  A portion of one's income goes into Fund A for essential services that are provided in common (e.g., defense, police, fire, government, courts, infrastructure).  Another portion goes into a separate Fund B which is distributed only to those who have selected Option 1 in need of e.g., food, shelter, clothing, education, health care.  The rest is kept.
Option 2:  A portion goes into Fund A; the rest is kept.
Craig
    

Thank you for giving me a chance

No.  Nor should we be forced to rescue them if that's not one of our values.