At some point in our nation’s history, it became acceptable for politicians to use taxes to make people behave in ways politicians want them to behave. The very first time it became clear this was happening, we should have risen up and thrown them out on the streets. Instead, we now have entire generations who want to use the government to get other people to do what they want - we’ve turned into a nation of whiny control-freaks.
Punitive taxation has become the norm.
The more you tax something the less of it you get.
Now they want to tax wealth?
They won’t be satisfied until we all are equally poor.
I saw a video the other night about the origins of the Civil War. Although slavery was one of the top reasons, taxation was the primary reason (huge tariffs on imported items).
At some point in our nation’s history, it became acceptable for politicians to use taxes to make people behave in ways politicians want them to behave.
Which is how, at the federal level, we have an insane amount of tax law, which makes it hard for everyone. It has created a booming industry of "tax preparation" that further drains money. "If you want less of something, tax it; if you want more of something, subsidize it." It's too bad there is no subsidy for common sense.
“...it became acceptable for politicians to use taxes to make people behave in ways politicians want them to behave....”
First they came for whiskey but many didn’t care...
Then they came for tobacco but many didn’t care....