One simple solution to these problems would be to require a 60% majority of the voting populace to agree to any tax hikes, and that any approved tax hikes would automatically expire after 4 years and have to be voted on and approved by 60% (again) to be reinstated.
Don’t trust that. More room for the rats to cheat
I’ve always been a fan of putting everything up for a national public vote. If it’s not related to war or a natural disaster, it can wait.
And Congress would spend less time at DC as well.