Fri, 02 Feb 2007 07:55:29 +0000

I wonder if those that advocate a honor based system for content sales (no DRM or license audits) would also advocate the same policy with respect to tax collection.

Unsurprisingly I for one would. I think what it would do would be to focus tax raising efforts on the common good. I think it would inevitably lead to a localization of tax raising powers (since it's easier to agree what is 'the common good' on a smaller scale) and to a more effective use of taxation. If we have to have taxation that's a model I would prefer.

That would leave you and I a great deal more flexibility in how we wanted to support wider concerns. I, for example, am interested in expanding my porfolio of Kiva interest free micro-loans. Yesterday I read about Moses from Uganda:

Entrepreneur: Moses Eliko Business Name: Home of Spares Location: Mbale, Uganda Amount Repaid: $300 of $800

Moses is quite a success story, and for me it was a very emotional experience to meet him When we met, I went to shake his hand he gave me a hug instead. His life has been so profoundly impacted by his loan that a handshake was simply not adequate. As you may know, Moses is HIV positive, and I strongly believe that without his loan he would have died by now. When he first got the loan last June, he was incredibly sick (started at ~130 lbs before getting sick, and dropped to 80 lbs !!!!!! after getting sick), and could barely walk. Previously, all of his money went to his medication, transport to health care, and feeding his 9 children (8 of his own and an orphan of his brother�s, who died of AIDS). Once he got the loan he was able to spend some money on goods to sell (supplies for an Ox plow), and now has enough income to take care of his illness, eat properly, support his kids, and even send some of them to school. He�s since regained weight and weighs about 115 lbs, and can now walk with the help of a cane. He attributes most of the improvements in his life to his microloan. To show his gratitude he absolutely insisted on giving me a live chicken! and was visibly upset when I tried to politely refuse his gift. He�s pictured below with his wife and children at his home, which is a hut made of clay bricks with grass roofs (without running water or electricity).

As for business, sales are going well for Moses. The growing season is rapidly approaching (begins around March), which will be Moses�s busiest time. He currently sells his ox plow spares on a mat he sets on the street, but he�s also used part of his profits to purchase the space for a store. In the very near future he�s hoping to construct a store in that space!

Finally, Moses used a small portion of the profits to purchase some seeds to plant apple trees. These seeds are very expensive, and growing the trees is very difficult as they are not extremely well suited for the African climate. Their fruit, however, is very valuable since it is somewhat scared. In addition, the apples would be a great addition to Moses�s diet to help him with his sickness.

Moses really couldn�t express his gratitude enough, and all of the lenders should feel pretty great knowing that their loan has literally saved a man�s life!

Best- Shelby Clark Kiva Field Rep

I didn't lend to Moses business but found his story uplifting. Given the choice I could live with funding health, power, and the trains. For the rest I'd rather have put - for example - that chunk of my taxes paying for the war on Iraq into Kiva.

But I don't have a choice, do I?

Curiouser and Curiouser! on tax