We are all anarchists in theory, but assholes in practice. The "Against Me" argument.

What follows is a paraphrase of Stefan Molyneux's "against me" argument. This argument can be used to cut past all of the flowery language bullshittery that goes on in most political debates. Discussing politics should not be about making clever points disembodied from reality.

What is the "against me" argument? It goes something like this.

FRIEND: I support our troops and I think the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are justified.

ME: I understand. I don't think you should be shot for supporting the wars.

FRIEND: Well, of course I shouldn't be shot!

ME: I don't support the wars. Do you think I should be shot for not supporting the wars?

FRIEND: Of course not! Nobody is talking about shooting anybody! You have the right to not support the wars in Iraq.

ME: Ah, good! Then we are both anarchists, I see.

FRIEND: I'm not an anarchist.

ME: If you think I have the right not to support the war, then you must also logically believe that I have the right not to pay taxes, since taxes support the war. Do I have the right not to pay my taxes?

FRIEND: You must pay your taxes unless you want to end up in jail. Besides, taxes are used for things other than the wars.

ME: Taxation is enforced with violence. I do not believe I have the desire or the right to wish violence to be used against you for not supporting the wars. Do you have the desire to see violence used against me?

FRIEND: Evasive bullshittery

ME: Do you support the use of violence against me?

FRIEND: Yes, if that's the game you wish to play. I believe you should pay your taxes or go to jail if you don't pay your taxes.

ME: Then you are no friend of mine. In fact, you are a moral cancer on this world. The threat of violence has no place in my life or in any affair that I would consider civilized. Goodbye.

ENEMY: ...

OR:

FRIEND: No, I do not support the use of violence against you.

ME: Thank you, friend. To be logical, you must give up your false beliefs in Statism and patriotism and all of the other violent creeds that kill us wholesale and break our spirits. You are an anarchist fundamentally, but your false beliefs have made you a tool and an asshole. Think about it.

FRIEND: ...