Many people believe we need taxes because people can’t be trusted to pay for government services on their own. They worry that if we let people choose what to pay for, nobody will pay at all. But this idea is based more on fear than facts. Even in places where people don’t fully trust each other, voluntary payment can still work—and actually work better. As Libertarians, we believe in freedom, responsibility, and smart solutions. That includes how we pay for the services we use every day.
Let’s start with a basic truth: every system has “free riders.” These are people who take benefits without paying for them. This happens in tax systems too. Some people cheat, some avoid taxes through loopholes, and some take more services than they ever pay for. So even when government forces people to pay, some still get a “free ride.” The idea that taxes stop freeloading is simply not true.
Now think about voluntary systems—like charity drives, crowdfunding, or even political parties. These work on donations, and yet people give millions of dollars to causes they care about. Why? Because when people feel ownership, choice, and trust in where their money goes, they often give more, not less. In fact, studies show that people are more generous when they are not forced.
But what about trust? What if people don’t believe others will pay their share? That’s where Libertarian thinking can help. We don’t need to build systems based on fear. We can build systems with smart rules that keep people honest while respecting freedom. For example:
- Voluntary fire departments already exist and work well in many towns. They survive on donations, fundraisers, and community support. People who support the fire department often get better insurance rates, quicker response, or just the peace of mind of knowing help is available.
- Trash and recycling can be funded by usage-based payments—if you throw away more, you pay more. No one wants trash piling up, so people pay.
- Water, gas, and electric bills already bundle in charges. We could add small, optional contributions to support local roads, parks, or safety services. This way, people fund services in ways that feel natural—not like a government hand in their pocket.
- Neighborhood groups or nonprofits can manage shared needs, like park cleanup or tutoring programs, through memberships or donation drives.
- Road and transportation can be handled by usage fees from commercial and delivery services, who do the most wear and tear. With our economy fully dependent on delivery trucks from Amazon, WalMart, and UPS, it makes sense to lean into that as a primary funding source for roads.
- Police and security services can be subscription-based, just like health and homeowner’s insurance. People or neighborhoods can sign up for protection plans, or it can be included in rent payments or homeowners insurance, much like fire protection already is. This creates a direct connection between what people pay and what they get, unlike taxes, which hide the true cost and make it easier for services to become wasteful and bloated.
Of course, some people will try to cheat. That’s human nature. But we don’t need to punish everyone for the actions of a few. We can set up guardrails. We can have community agreements, use social rewards and recognition, or even deny services to repeat abusers.
Think of it like this: when we stop trusting people and force our neighbors to pay, they pull back. They give less time. They donate less money. They get resentful. But when they choose to give, they give more—and with a full heart.
A big reason people favor taxes is jealousy. They don’t want someone else to benefit “for free.” But that jealousy is expensive. It leads to complex systems, angry citizens, and wasted money. Strong communities don’t have to be perfectly fair in every direction. They just need to stop abuse, reward giving, and encourage responsibility.
All too often those who take our money through taxes try to guilt us into compliance. They say you’re selfish if you don’t want to fund police, parks, or welfare. That’s not generosity—it’s coercion wrapped in moral language.
Libertarians believe people should have the right to choose—how to live, how to work, and how to give. Voluntary payments let us support the services we care about without force. With the right systems, even in low-trust places, we can replace taxes with freedom and still take care of each other.
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being better. And we believe people, given the chance, can rise to the occasion.
Opinion editorials reflect the views of the authors, not official positions of the Libertarian Party of Ohio. They are shared to encourage open discussion, not as endorsements or statements from the party.