The increasingly small fraction that goes to defense and those who truly are unable to take care of themselves is money well spent.
Other than that, I have access to roads and am allowed to take an exemption on my mortgage. Big deal.
Its the biggest racket in the history of mankind.
Another way to think of it that I like.... aggregation:
So, with taxes equal to half the income (added all of the fees/taxes/excise/RE/and-on-and-on), say your work
life is 50 years.
You work 25 years for your own, your family’s welfare. And you work 25 years for government.
Roads are paid for with fuel taxes. You for those at the pump.