How appropriate that it would be a Frenchman who'd conceive the idea of an International Tax. French citizens already pay to support local, provincial, national and continental government. Why not an international tax, too? Someday, when the first interplanetary taxes are proposed, the idea will come from someone of the Gallic persuasion.
The idea is to place a small tax on fuel, airline tickets, etc. A tiny burden for each person. And the cause couldn't be more noble -- helping alleviate the suffering from AIDS in Africa.
Run. Flee. Never look back.
I imagine Dracula told Lucy it would be a one-time nibble, too. Is anyone unspeakably foolish enough to believe that once the bureaucrats of the world discover a new revenue source they'll stop with just this one "noble cause?"
AIDS in Africa is a cause very dear to my heart. Much of the burden for alleviating the problem lies with the African countries themselves -- particularly in combating superstitions and sexual mores which encourage the spread of the disease. But there is much the rest of the world can do to help, and we need to. Entire generations are dying. We are helping, and we need to do more.
However, that doesn't require us to stick our head in Chirac's noose.
Posted by Discoshaman at janvier 28, 2005 03:30 AM | TrackBack
I agree that some foreign aid (in the billions for now)is essential: to prevent the spread from mother to fetus, and to educate people about proper sexual behavior/safe sex.
But in principle I am opposed to exporting billions of dollars to treat foreigners who have a sexually transmitted pathogen (HIV), and who may get drugs which prevent the onset of the symptomatic disease (AIDS) only to continue unsafe promiscuous sex and further spread the disease.
People must take responsibility for the results of their own actions. All people; everywhere - without discriminating for or against any race or creed or nationality.
ALSO: foreign aid to corrupt regimes may not actually help the people who need it in the country the aid goes to: corrupt kleptocrats can -AND DO - resell drugs back into the grey market. We should aids people not governments.
Posted by: reliapundit at janvier 28, 2005 03:20 AMWhat's amazing about Chirac is that he is purported to be a conservative by French standards. What's your take on it, Discoshaman?
By the way, Discoshaman, Joe Missionary let me know that the we have the same alma mater. Would love to know when you were there. Email me.
Posted by: Sandra at janvier 28, 2005 05:15 AMI'm just going to go out on a limb here and take a wild-arsed guess that the tax would somehow be constructed in such a way that... americans pay more than anyone else.
And since I'm throwing caution to the wind here, let me shoot the moon and guess that after the money is collected from americans, it will be "distributed" by liberal, european bureaucrats at the UN through their "partnership" with unelected despots in Africa.
Seriously, a continent is dying. The problems can't be solved by throwing money at them, although if money is needed, I believe that America would gladly give it. But hopefully we will not continue to fund the same extortion racket of third world kleptocrats, European arms-dealers and UN parasites that pulled the largest heist in world history: the UN Oil-for-Food program.
Posted by: Greg at janvier 28, 2005 05:38 AMJust another way to milk the people of their money. I may sound callous but shouldn't I decide where my money goes. Not some retard like Chirac. He is off his rocker. I think tax is the wrong way.
Now I am inviting the flames. Much has been made about America's lack of giving and donating to the world. This is totally wrong. Yes the government of America does not give that much. When you count the personal donations that citizens give then all of a sudden no one can say that we don't give alot because we do give more than anyone else. We decide who to give to as citizens.
This shows the fundamental difference in American Democracy and Europe's Socialist Democracy. France takes their citizens money and spends how she pleases. America lets its citizen donate how they choose to donate.
That my friend is closer to democracy than France is ever going to be.
Sorry it's been a long time disco but I'm back. Check out the site!
Posted by: Rick Zahn at janvier 28, 2005 06:26 AMI will agree to an international (French) tax when I can vote in French elections. Until then...
Posted by: FH at janvier 28, 2005 07:47 AMMy only answer to these "musings" - Chirac (a "conservative") - better say a corrupt politician who remains in office due to immuinity despite actually being held guilty for campaign bribes, irregularities and illegal funing of his party seems to dance in Chorus with the "European left" - The Eurocommies, Socialists and Greens
AS a member of a small European state, where we just had enough Socialists in power - this doesn't surprise me. French dilusions of grandeur seem to be in urgent need of another smack against the head just like in the case of the IRAQ war. Maybe clear thinking becomes possible again.
It neither surprises me that it's the "Euroepan directoire" (France, Germany) that gives Ukraine's allures towards Europe more or less a cold shoulder. More proof that it's time to fight for Regime change - not just in former Eastern Europe.
in the meantime: http://www.fuckfrance.com
MAXX (from Austria)