Make no mistake, the world out there is changing before your eyes. But it's more than that - the world in your head needs to change too. You need to bring your "world view" up to speed with what is really happening - a completely new paradigm.
What's a world view? In short, it's the way you see the world. The way you were "taught" to see the world. The way those in authority "want" you to see the world. Right from your first steps, to your first day at school and on to adulthood - you have been meticulously fed a particular world view.
It changes slightly with your cultural background - but not that much. It changes slightly with each generation. But this is the first time in history it is undergoing a fundamental change.
No matter what race or cultural background you come from, no matter what religion you were brought up in, or what country you grew up in - one thing's for sure, you were taught that your life was not really your own. You were taught that you owed a debt somewhere. A debt to society. A debt to your race. A debt to your family - a debt to your government. Even a debt to some supernatural power. In other words, your life was already mortgaged from the day you were born - to be paid off by serving the needs of others.
And how were you to repay that debt? By being a good citizen and doing what you were told. And, of course, by paying your taxes!
Have you ever stopped to think what you really get for your taxes? Here's a short list: roads (often badly designed and maintained); medical care (if you're lucky); education (if you can call it that - brainwashing more like!); police protection (what?) and justice (you hope!)
In fact, if you really think about it, what you get for your taxes is pathetic. If you got the same level of service from any private business (charging up to 50% or more of your income) you'd be protesting and asking for a refund right outside their doors!
But, like sheep, most people don't protest - because tax is built into their world view. The injustice of tax is not even noticed - because its justification has been drilled into the subconscious corners of everyone's mind. You must pay tax because you "owe".
You don't believe me? Well, consider this:
Imagine you have a neighbour called "Joe". Imagine that one day he turns up on your doorstep and says, "Hey listen pal, I'm having trouble making ends meet - and I've noticed that you seem to do okay moneywise. Well, it's simply not fair. So I want you to give me 40% of your income each week - so I can get by with some self-respect! And don't think of not giving this to me, or I'll bring round some of my heavy friends to lean on you!"
Of course, you'd call this extortion. And you'd be right.
So, ask yourself this question - what makes the above scenario
"extortion", when one individual demands your money because he
needs it - but "social responsibility" when the same demands are
made collectively - by all the "Joes" out there who need a share of your income - and then vote for a policy that will take it off you - by force?
Morally there is simply no difference. So the next time you get a twinge of guilt about paying as little tax as possible - remember you are simply responding according to the world view you were indoctrinated with. A knee-jerk reaction - that's all.
But change is in the air. The idea that your life and your cash is not your own is undergoing a revision. People are standing up and questioning this antediluvian morality. The very existence and growth of the offshore industry is proof that individuals are taking their money and privacy seriously - and guarding it accordingly.
More and more people are questioning the authority of governments.
More and more people are beginning to see the light - that they don't need what most governments are offering - poor service and
shoddy goods - priced like an extortion racket.
The internet is making such thinking even easier to act on. Not only does it provide the spread of information that liberates people - it also provides the means of achieving the personal and financial freedom that beckons those with the courage to step outside their old world view.
The old world view is one which sees you as a slave - a slave to a system that claims your life and property - and does this by taxing your effort, ambition, success, persistence and creativity.
The new world view is one which sees you as an autonomous individual.
A unique person who should be free to lead your life as you wish
(provided you leave others alone to do likewise), and to keep the
results of your efforts and creativity. It's a world of unlimited possibility - a world of increasing wealth.
If you're standing on the fringe, fascinated by the possibilities of going offshore, but haven't taken the plunge - then don't wait too long. Don't become a spectator. If you're in business for yourself, or you are generating some income using the internet, or you have a nest egg you want to protect - then you stand to gain a great deal by learning the advantages of going offshore.
Thanks to Edwin's contribution
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