Stop the Cuts - National Demonstration

Your argument might be more interesting if we knew what skin you had in the game.

I've not attempted to make it interesting, it's essentially a boring peripheral point in a broader debate.

You seem to be claiming that the comparison fails because one of the things being compared is optional and the other not.

No, I've not claimed that.

I don't see that 'optionality' would necessarily make a difference to people's reactions. . .

I think it is fairly obvious that it would, a simple thought experiment could show us that.

I'm inclined to believe that people probably would take to the streets if they faced this kind of mandatory tax

The imposition of a mandatory, non-optional and immediately payable (regardless of income) bill of 18k for no discernible reward with the threat of imprisonment for non-payment would, without a doubt, see people take to the streets.

I think we can all agree on that.