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Show k2 hand in the air. - "If there was no government," he was saying, "then there would be no taxes and there would be no war-at least not the big bang kind. We would have no organized destructive capability, so as a people we would represent no threat. It's as simple as that. And we wouldn't have to take a cut in our standard of living because an absence of government does not cancel out capitalism. Shit, competition would be keener. Mankind has always thrived best under free market conditons." "Who would build the roads?" said Fogarty from the floor. "Who would deliver the mail?" "Roads have always been built. Important messages have always been delivered." Malone swatted at an invisible fly. "Where there's a need, there will always be someone prepared to meet it. For a price." "Who would protect you from thieves, cutthroats, murderers?" "Who protects me now?" Fogarty's beer arrived. He had no further interest in indulging Malone"s peculiar politics. "It's another hot one outside," he said rather than answer. "Hotter than buck night at the cathouse," said Malone. Fogarty winced. "Know what I saw today? I'll tell you. I saw a City pickup hauling a speedboat. Right down Sixth Avenue. About noon. Two guys in the front, two in the back. One in the boat. I ask you, is this where my tax dollar should go?" Fogarty began to wish sincerely that he had stayed home: |