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True story of a free trader

Posted by freedomforall 8 years, 1 month ago to Philosophy
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"The trader and the warrior have been fundamental antagonists throughout history. Trade does not flourish on battlefields, factories do not produce under bombardments, profits do not grow on rubble. Capitalism is a society of traders—for which it has been denounced by every would-be gunman who regards trade as “selfish” and conquest as “noble.”
- Capitalism, The Unknown Ideal

"The symbol of all relationships among [rational] men, the moral symbol of respect for human beings, is the trader. We, who live by values, not by loot, are traders, both in matter and in spirit. ...
The mystic parasites who have, throughout the ages, reviled the traders and held them in contempt, while honoring the beggars and the looters, have known the secret motive of their sneers: a trader is the entity they dread—a man of justice. ...
We, the men of the mind, we who are traders not masters or slaves, do not deal in blank checks or grant them. We do not live or work with any form of the non-objective."
- Atlas Shrugged
SOURCE URL: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=2192233&page=1


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  • Posted by Mamaemma 8 years, 1 month ago
    I wonder how long it will take the government to come demand taxes on his profits.
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    • Posted by 8 years, 1 month ago
      Good observation. Difficult to value the trades for taxation but suppose they could insist on valuation of the vehicles. Such things are pretty low value though. probably not much exposure until he sells the real property. Still, the gov has done nothing to earn a cut of his production.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 1 month ago
    Perseverance, fortitude, intelligence. A team that won't be beaten, can't be beaten. This is the way a person comes out on top no matter what obstacles are in that person's way.
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  • Posted by DrZarkov99 8 years, 1 month ago
    Barter is one way to dodge taxes, and some are very good at it. Of course the IRS has rules for how to claim the results of barter as income, but there's not much chance of them coming after you, as they have trouble organizing enough resources to go after the big tax dodgers. I suppose that if the barter was big enough, and not well hidden, there might be serious consequences.

    It's kind of a sad observation that there's a very substantial ad hoc black market developing in the U.S., primarily from people's distrust of government. I suspect there are some very creative entrepreneurs operating in the shadows, other than the drug sellers and sex traffickers.
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    • Posted by 8 years, 1 month ago
      Sad observation that is also a hopeful one. Its also a case of producers choosing to produce less to keep their "sacred honor" of principles. It is very difficult to survive and prosper in that way.
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  • Posted by Grendol 8 years, 1 month ago
    I like this story. It is a good reminder that creation of value and commerce is diverse, versatile, profitable for all involved. Value is more than the good, but knowing the market, being available (especially when & where others aren't), and several other things that are either tangible or not. This is inspiring.
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