The Establishment of a Local Free Economy

The goal of this endeavor is not to engage in any overtly illegal activities such as gambling or the distribution of drugs even though the legal status of these victimless crimes are questionable. Instead, the goal is to simply provide myself with an alternative to the continued support of the State by withdrawal from it's system.

For far too long, the State has been involved in activities that I consider to be immoral and I want to know that I am no longer supporting them in any way imaginable. Being that the State is funded through involuntary taxation, you can imagine the difficulties that will be faced. However difficult though, it is not impossible.

Being that the State is the sole cause of much of today's ills, the long term solution can ultimately be nothing short of its abolishment. This abolishment can be best achieved, peacefully, through two steps. First, cease the futile act of voting. Elections serve no purpose other than to be misconstrued as a mandate from the people for the victorious politicians own agenda. Second, secure means to conduct trade and business in a manner that does not participate within the States own system. Take away their money by avoiding their taxes and you take away their means to control or threaten you.

At this point in life, I have decided that I prefer the idea of taking the difficult road to achieve my goal as opposed to continuing on the easy path of obedience to the State. Does this mean I am evil or untrustworthy? I am sure some would decide so. Also, if my choice does bring me into conflict with the State, I am certain my name and reputation will be greatly tarnished. After all, negativity is their
standard.

To go about this, I will be required to make a significant change to my way of life. This is primarily due to the numerous ways we are all subjected to taxation whether we agree with it or not. If you are a productive member of society and work, federal taxes are withheld from your paycheck with or without your consent. If you are a consuming member of society, sales taxes are collected upon the purchase of eligible merchandise. Numerous taxes and fees are added into your telephone, cable and internet bill. Do you own a car? Taxes! Do you own a house? Taxes!! Do you do anything with your money to enrich your life or condition? Taxes!!!

To avoid these uncountable intrusions into my life, I only see one solution. That being a truly free economy where all interactions and agreements are done completely on a voluntary basis. Unfortunately, as long as the State exists, this idea of free economies will have to remain at the local level with, perhaps, some level of inter-connectivity via the internet. As more begin to see that there is an alternative and a better way, these economies will certainly grow. With this growth, the power and scope of the State will be equally diminished. As more withdraw and funding is withheld, the State will eventually die and the doors to true freedom will then be opened for all. Quite a day that will be!

No longer will the young inner-city entrepreneurs be denied the means to provide for their family because they cannot afford the requirements placed upon them by the State to start a business. No longer will a family be forced to send their children to sub-standard government schools simply because they cannot afford a better school due to taxation. No longer will the State be able to fund it's agenda of murder through money that is stolen from us.

How will this unparalleled opportunity for full liberty be achieved? Easily, through a free economy. Or, as it is discredited with the sense of something sinister, a black market! Again, due to limited participation, these economies will be small and limited to small interactions such as easily produced goods and services. These goods and services will be produced with no regard to government
regulations or requirements which will quickly lower their selling prices. These lower prices will bring about an increase in the level of participation which will result in a growth of the scope of the economies. The larger the growth, the more extensive the products and services offered will be which will again bring about more
participation. It will be a self-sustaining cycle of prosperity.

Some may be concerned about a lack of regulation, however, these concerns can easily be put to rest. If I have a product I sell and wish to be successful, what must I do? Provide quality at a competitive price. If I develop a reputation for selling shoddy merchandise, am I going to be successful? No. With an influx of new customers, I may be able to stay afloat. But, with no returning customers due to poor service, success will not be mine. Also, the cost associated with complaints would be to restrictive on any small business trying to survive in a market with vast competition.

One may ask what will attract potential consumers to a free economy and keep them there. Simply put, excellent service and products at a rate far below the going market rates. The way a free economy would be able to compete with lower prices goes back to the fact that it circumvents the established system. First consider the cost added onto your purchases just from the mandatory sales tax. Granted, it
may not seem you are paying much due to a sales tax when thinking of everyday items. However, consider it when making a larger purchase or simply all the small purchases added up over the course of a year. That small percentage does grow and I am certain you could find far better uses for those dollars than your local politicians could.

When considering avoiding the sales tax, some may argue that the local government must exist to tend to any and all local needs. But, since the State fails at any and all endeavors, this certainly is a flawed argument. However, let's examine some of the services that are provided at the local level and are funded via various direct and indirect taxes, license fees and in some places, with lotto sales. Take schools for example, due to their necessity. Even though millions are collected, somehow the schools are always running short on funds. Even though we spend a nationwide average of well over $10,000 per child for public education, how many times do schools have fund raisers a year? Ironically many top notch private schools charge similar amounts for their tuition. Which provides the better service? Yes, schools are a necessity. However, it is not required that they
be run by the State which has proven itself incapable of properly managing the taken funds and resources.

Another commonly given example of a need that can only be provided for by the State is public roads and highways. All I have to say is when was the last time you took a trip and were not inconvenienced by congested traffic, horrific road conditions or bothersome law representatives? I am willing to bet it has been quite a while.

These problems would be eliminated if roads were provided for by the market on the basis of satisfied customers paying for the use of them. With no State to depend on, companies would solely rely on a customers satisfaction for its survival. This would mean every effort would be made to provide exceptional service at a competitive price.

So far, we have seen how a free economy would benefit the consumer through lower prices and better service thanks to no cumbersome government regulations and costly taxes. But, how can a free economy benefit those that would be providing the products and services at a much lower cost. After all, if the prices were so significantly cut, would that not also cut greatly into their earning potential? To easily answer that question, I would simply request that you take a look at your most recent pay stub. How much were you paid? How much did you actually take home? Take this difference and consider it over the whole year. Right off the start, much has already been saved just by avoiding the State and its many burdens of taxation.

However, withheld federal taxes are just the beginning of the savings. The avoidance of the same government regulations that affect a products price also affect your earning potential. Every regulation requires more paperwork to verify you are within guidelines which is costly. Every regulation requires non-essential staffing which is costly. Every regulation requires numerous unnecessary benefits to be provided which is costly. I could go on, but it is likely that you get the picture. The avoidance of these regulations not only provide for better pricing for your customers, but also lowered business expenses so that there is more left over. This abundance could be kept for yourself, invested into the growth of your business or even given away to charity. That is the best part! Instead of having the
State dictate how your earnings are spent, you now get to do it.

So, now that we have seen how a free economy can benefit all that are involved, it is time to begin working towards one. As the last year has shown us all, going to protests and writing your local representative does nothing to enhance your liberty. So, why waste your time on futile efforts that will do nothing but leave you stressed and scared. Instead, invest your time and energy into something that will benefit you by living outside the system. Who knows, maybe enough will catch on and the State will be brought down to its knees. That would be another great day!

So, who's in?