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This is a false dilemma. It's not a question of whether taxes can be justified at all, but more of a question of whether all taxes and government expenditures

This is a false dilemma. It's not a question of whether taxes can be justified at all, but more of a question of whether all taxes and government expenditures can be justified. Certainly, there are some things that governments that are essential. However, I think it is folly to believe that all government expenditures are prudent.

sukuriant 15y ago
"However, I think it is folly to believe that all government expenditures are prudent." Agreed; however, for things such as schools and roads and a police-force, this is part of how they earn their money, so when you say no to sales taxes, you're not only saying no to all of its abuses, but you're saying no to the things that actually need it. The problem isn't with the taxes, the problem is with where the taxes go; and if we don't like where taxes are going, then we need to vote with the mind to change it, and petition our elected officials to change their spending practices. Will it work? Probably not, sadly, and I don't know where that leaves us.
- fleitz 15y ago
  End withholding taxes, just give people a big bill at the end of the year, and ensure that the names and faces of their elected representatives are on that bill, so they can be reminded of what magnificent service has been received that year. Maybe, change tax due dates from April to the 3rd week of October? Spending priorities will change rapidly.
  - deleted 15y ago
    [deleted]
  - sukuriant 15y ago
    That is actually a splendid idea. A quick Google search revealed it to be very easy to find where the US Government spends most of its money, but more difficult to find where individual states put the money they get. This would be incredibly interesting to see.
- oelewapperke 15y ago
  This is assuming that eliminating wasteful programs would actually reduce taxes. History proves that to be false. Taxes are set, and programs created or cut with the budgets they provide. So the republican way of doing things, cutting taxes and then organize a gunfight in congress to decide how to re-divide the pie, isn't such a bad principle at all. It is the only way taxes go down, and the only way waste gets eliminated.

sukuriant 15y ago

"However, I think it is folly to believe that all government expenditures are prudent." Agreed; however, for things such as schools and roads and a police-force, this is part of how they earn their money, so when you say no to sales taxes, you're not only saying no to all of its abuses, but you're saying no to the things that actually need it. The problem isn't with the taxes, the problem is with where the taxes go; and if we don't like where taxes are going, then we need to vote with the mind to change it, and petition our elected officials to change their spending practices. Will it work? Probably not, sadly, and I don't know where that leaves us.

fleitz 15y ago
End withholding taxes, just give people a big bill at the end of the year, and ensure that the names and faces of their elected representatives are on that bill, so they can be reminded of what magnificent service has been received that year. Maybe, change tax due dates from April to the 3rd week of October? Spending priorities will change rapidly.
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]
- sukuriant 15y ago
  That is actually a splendid idea. A quick Google search revealed it to be very easy to find where the US Government spends most of its money, but more difficult to find where individual states put the money they get. This would be incredibly interesting to see.
oelewapperke 15y ago
This is assuming that eliminating wasteful programs would actually reduce taxes. History proves that to be false. Taxes are set, and programs created or cut with the budgets they provide. So the republican way of doing things, cutting taxes and then organize a gunfight in congress to decide how to re-divide the pie, isn't such a bad principle at all. It is the only way taxes go down, and the only way waste gets eliminated.