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0 pointsnkellenicki5y ago0 comments

Because it's abstract. The people aren't _actively_ having to do anything, such as hand over their records - it's happening away from them. It's hard to connect with abstract.

It's easier for people to connect with the reason _for_ doing it. Stop the terrorists, it may happen to you, etc. But the other way round is harder because it's invisible and you can live your life without caring. Even the warnings fall on deaf ears because "come on, you're being irrational" or "meh, doesn't affect me".

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3 comments · 2 top-level

inglor_cz5y ago· 1 in thread

In a similar way, withholding of income tax feels much more painless than having to pay it in full backwards in April, or even several times a year.

There is a good chance that if everyone had to pay their income tax manually, the tax burden would shift quite a bit.

zimpenfish5y ago

> if everyone had to pay their income tax manually

Isn't this basically the US model though? And ...

> the tax burden would shift quite a bit.

Hasn't really happened for them (unless you're in the 1%, obvs.)

hanniabu5y ago

I think it's also a lot easier to dismiss with the use of media pundits on replay saying "if you have nothing to hide then there's no issue".

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