akrvbob said:
I regularly break laws as a vandweller and don't feel guilty about it all. I live by the simple moral belief to do as little harm as I can and do all the good I can. I believe the moral imperative to stop damaging the planet not only allows me to break those laws, it requires it. We're destroying our grand-children's future for a few more moments of luxury. I consider that deeply immoral and can't obey laws that require me to do it.
On the other hand I never steal movies, books or music. That's another persons hard-work, talent and creativity and that person needs to be rewarded for it as he sees fit.
By stealing his creation, I harm her and make it difficult for them to continue creating. I want to encourage their creativity, not stifle it.
But, we all have to make our own choices in life as to how we will live them and the moral code we follow. I'm not sure "I want it, so I'm taking it" is the best possible moral code.
Bob
This is an interesting argument Bob, and I agree with what you say about artistic thieving. It's kind of funny, but for my generation, this is so common that it's pretty normal. Not saying that it's right, but what's more funny was that Justin Bieber was on Twitter, asking for a free link to download a UFC fight. And Bieber is worth almost $1 BILLION, net. It's just much easier, faster and less to zero security risk.... to download something illegally compared to signing up, and entering a credit card, which is now floating through the internet.
Let me continue it by saying that most illegal Vandwelling does, usurp on the resources that was paid by others in forms of taxes. Not saying you, specifically, as I don't know where you vandwell exactly...but if you don't always vandwell on BLM land and such, but in towns, cities, etc. for longer than a few days as a traveler "passing through", then you are using the resources that were paid by the local residence of that location. Travelers and tourists, tend to spend decent to a lot of money, while Vandwellers are cheapskates.
This is similar to people who lives in a bad neighborhood but want their children to be able to go to a better school in a better district, so they falsify their address by using the address of someone else. This give their children a better education, better books, better free lunch, safer environment, etc. all on the dime of people who are paying much more taxes than them, and would also cause their taxes to go up as the number false resident students rises.
So a Vandweller, illegally dwelling in a rich neighborhood, beach front area, etc. and not paying any property taxes that can range in upwards of $10,000-20,000+ a year (just for property taxes), is certainly causing a drain on someone else and in fact, stealing.
