For the purposes of this OC topic, it's sufficient to say: People are generally happy to tax themselves for the benefit of the in-group, and continue to oppose

For the purposes of this OC topic, it's sufficient to say: People are generally happy to tax themselves for the benefit of the in-group, and continue to oppose helping the out-group. Optimistic me continues to believe that society's notions of in-group continues to expand. By fits and starts, including the cycles of backlash. FWIW, I highly recommend Robert Wright's book Nonzero. Helped transmute me into an optimist, despite everything.