[bunny]

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Everyone may not be volunteering, but I am. When you asked what I was receiving from the state on a voluntary basis I presumed you meant that I was volunteering for. I choose to pay my taxes and receive state subsidised services and the benefits and costs of state regulations.

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How does this square with you not being responsible for the actions of Howards government?

chez

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Damn you pay attention...you'll have to remind me where that came up...

I think my argument will go something like:

I volunteer to participate in the system, so I accept the benefits of the state and agree to pay the costs. Part of our system involves representative democracy together with free speech. I have cast my vote consistently against the Howard government, I've been to protests, I've donated time and money to his political opponents. Within the system I've done what I can to oppose the current government of the day (or what I think is reasonable anyhow). Consequently, I am a participant in the society and am partly responsible for choosing the government, however I have done everything I could reasonably do to prevent their actions, so I cant be held responsible for those actions.

Inconsistent?