I'd say they are. And I agree with you that it's necessary overhead. The action is what "cost the taxpayers money" because it required enforcement action. Crime

I'd say they are. And I agree with you that it's necessary overhead. The action is what "cost the taxpayers money" because it required enforcement action. Crime is actually a great example: we all pay when crimes are committed, so we should all take interest in preventing crime rather than just reacting whenever it happens. The same is true for things like rail freight safety, air travel safety, and banking.