>
>>How about I pay for the services I use. That seems fair.
>>That seems to be how businesses get by.
>
>Two quick points:
>
>1) I'd be interested to hear how a fire department would work
>in your world.

Fire departments used to be private. You can look up for yourself how that worked, but it wasn't ideal. Local governments got involved and now we have a better system. I'm not aware of a federal fire department, so I don't have a problem with them.

>2) I think your viewpoint neglects the possibility that you
>might benefit from services indirectly. For example, it
>benefits me that the nearest hospital and my favorite stores
>don't burn down. It benefits me that poor people who don't
>want to be criminals can get food stamps or whatever instead
>of trying to rob me with a hobo knife. (Although where you
>draw the line there is obviously dicey.)

I'm sure I do benefit from some services indirectly, but the food stamps hobo knife thievery is pretty weak argument, since ya know, they're out there robbing now with food stamps.