The Non-Agression Principle

What do Ayn Rand, John Stuart Mill, and the Libertarian party have in common? They all advocate the nonaggression principal (NAP).

The NAP condemns the use of any type of aggression such as force, coercion, threats, or manipulation against another person or their property. The only exception to this rule is if aggression is used in self-defense.

Basically, the NAP allows anything as long as it does not violate the right to life, liberty, and property. But things like slavery, child porn, or hiring hitmen would breach the NAP. It also, preaches voluntary action above government intervention. So let's take a look at a few examples.

Drugs

The legalization of all drugs for medical and recreational use is encouraged under the NAP, but only for legal adults. This means that any adult should be allowed to buy and sell drugs if it doesn't harm anyone in the process. However, buyers should be fully informed about any possible consequences resulting from drug use. Additionally, nobody should be pressured or manipulated into taking drugs.

Gay marriage

The same values apply here as well, but forcing anyone to cater or host your wedding is a violation of the NAP. A religious bakery owner has the right to refuse to bake a cake because he/she should not be threatened with a fine by the law, of which violates the right to property (forcibly taking away income). For every anti gay marriage baker, there are dozens more who will be more than willing to replace them. Therefore, if a service is refused to a gay couple they should simply find another bakery and tell them their situation. Think of it this way: It's not the couple's responsibility if the anti-gay baker wishes to lose business.

Abortion

Ok I gotta admit this one is tricky because laws and science cannot answer if abortion is right or not. Therefore, we should turn to morals and ethics like the NAP. If the fetus is viable, meaning it can survive outside of the womb, then abortion should be illegal in this case, including third trimester abortions and abortions up until birth. The woman who is getting an abortion should also be fully informed of any adverse risks to her health.

Taxes

TAXATION IS THEFT!!! Collecting taxes is a definite no-no and clearly violates the NAP. How so? Your income is your property (it's in your possession) and the only way governments can collect taxes is by force, therefore reporting your taxes is never voluntary; being threatened with a prison sentence and confiscation of property leaves you no choice but to pay up. Just because a law is a law does not make it justified. It was once illegal for women to vote, and it was also illegal for Native Americans to leave their reservations. So you might be wondering how will the roads be built, or who will fund healthcare or Social Security? What about financial aid? Or welfare for the poor? All of these do not need government, in fact everything can be provided by the private sector at a lower price and better quality. However, taxes are necessary for national defense, personally I would rather not have a government because if there is no government then, there is no nation or country to defend. But since we're already living with a government, taxes are only necessary for protecting

our natural rights.

To all my Christian brothers and sisters, if my above reasons are not enough to convince you that taxation is theft then you have forgotten two of the Ten Commandments: Thou shall not covet, and thou shall not steal. Agreeing with the statement, "The rich should pay their fair share" is coveting because you feel envious and entitled to something that wasn't yours to begin with. Forcing someone else to pay for your personal responsibilities is stealing from them.