Except that I don't live in the "West". And I've seen my share of the world, and done my share of NGO work at home and in the places where it's directly helpful

Except that I don't live in the "West". And I've seen my share of the world, and done my share of NGO work at home and in the places where it's directly helpful. I also know that taxes are used especially in the West to fund the military industry that contributes to killing people all over the place. So I am well aware of the ambivalence of "taxes". But that's not what I am talking about. I am talking about "taxes" as a way to create a strong public service, not as taxes to create even stronger dictatorships. Also, places where the Red Cross/Crescent and BWB won't go are also very unlikely to be places where Watsi will go.