My city recently added a utility tax, which is as regressive and unfair tax as I can think of. Poor and middle class families have a difficult time paying their utility bills when winters are particularly cold or summers are particularly hot or the price of energy skyrockets. But these buffoons in city hall have positioned themselves to get more tax when utility bills become more burdensome. I spoke against the tax at a city council meeting and I said hesitate to mention the only tax which could be more onerous and that would be a tax on prescription medicines. I say I hesitate because I am afraid I might be giving you ideas, because the elderly and infirm are about the only group who is in a lesser position to resist than the group who you are now punitively taxing. If these coppers do not have anything better to do than go fishing for fees, I say lay the buggars off.
Well, that is one of the components, but let's not dismiss the very real possibility that some people like the feeling of control over others.