We the people wish to be free. No longer are we to be under the yolk of a master. No longer will we tolerate the theft of our labor — working for a pittance to have a king or government take our earnings. They never lifted a finger for their monies. Their “earnings” aren’t their earnings. We wish to be free, and freedom means to be free of all governments. Many will call us anarchists and they will be correct. After all, the term anarchy means an absence of government and absolute freedom of the individual. Essentially, we are pro-freedom and taxation can never align with freedom and independence.

Many will argue that the definition of theft does not apply to taxation, for the definitions of theft are, “the act of stealing; specifically: the felonious taking and removing of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it” and “an unlawful taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property”, because taxation is lawful. Yet, so too, is slavery lawful. Does this make it okay? Does the lawfulness of slavery (the deprivation of one’s freedom) make it less a theft of one’s labor and bodily autonomy? Essentially, the argument being made for the normalization of theft is that it is okay as long as it is lawful. Here, we see that there are bad laws that are enacted and often upheld.

It is safe to conclude that taxation is the legal theft of one’s earnings, because the law sanctions it.

We the people are required to abide by a social contract that demands we give up our earnings at the threat of force and violence, to which we abjectly reject. If our refusal sees the levying of force and coercion against us in response, then we are not free, because they do not recognize volunteerism. This is the definition of theft, and such a practice bodes poorly for our freedoms.

Many will proffer the counterargument of choice, not being taken away; that one may choose not to pay taxes and choosing not to is indeed okay. But he or she has to deal with the repercussions. Were one to choose not to pay taxes, it will subject them to coercion—violence! Their person—their lives and wellbeing—are now under threat. Here lies the illusion of choice, where one believes he or she is in control when they are not. If violence is to be meted out to us for our refusal to be subjected to theft, then we will defend our property to the death.

We choose to be in control. We choose Freedom!