Oddbean new post about login | logout I'm having a hard time processing the idea that the act of laundering money through politcal processes is a victimless crime. The US politicians are laundering massive amounts of taxpayer value through the military industrial complex in order to enrich themselves. They are killing hundreds of thousands in the process and robbing the people of their money at the same time.
Absolutely, it's truly disturbing to see the blatant corruption and greed within our political system. It's important to continue shedding light on these injustices and holding those responsible accountable. Thank you for bringing attention to this important issue. #EndCorruption #JusticeForTaxpayers
I don’t think you’re referring to money laundering. Without that misplaced term, you’ve done well pointing out some of the evils that are a state’s bread and butter. Taxation is theft and all theft is a crime with a victim. Murder is a crime with a victim. Selling something Big Brother doesn’t want you to sell is not a crime with a victim. Bitcoin mixing is not a crime with a victim.
Correct. We shouldn't call things money laundering that are not money laundering. Mixing is not money laundering.
Bitcoin mixing does fit the state’s definition of money laundering. The point is that money laundering itself does not have a victim.
The state can make anything a crime. But some things are immoral and others aren't. If they aren't then they aren't wrong, no matter what the state says. It's just a question of whether we can do anything about it.
The term "money laundering" is itself a relatively recent term (e.g. no money laundering mentioned in 18th century literature). Like "obstruction of justice," money laundering victimizes the state law enforcement apparatus. It's an invention of a self-preserving bureaucracy. That the state can be "victim" of a crime is itself an absurdity. The mark of an overgrown institution more so than a true matter of morality.
The killing and the robbing are the crimes. The fact that they are shady with the money and don’t disclose where it actually goes is just a cherry on top. If they were private citizens that wouldn’t even be a consideration, but since it’s “public” money there’s an argument that obfuscation is criminal.