Jesus said to "give to Caesar what is Caesar's," indicating that there is nothing inherently evil about government requiring taxes from its citizens. How else would you fund a military? Regarding unnecessary expenditures, you and I would probably agree.
"The term "tax collectors" hardly ever appears in the NT without "and sinners" nearby (anyone ever see a Biblical reference to "rug murchants and sinners" or "tent makers and sinners"?"
The term "tax collector" carried a less than complimentary reaction due to the Jewish men who were paid by the Roman government to collect the taxes for them. These Jews would oftentimes collect 4-5 times more than what the citizen was required by Rome, all of which went into their pockets.
Virtually every occupation can be corrupted to the extent that it loses respect with people. Being a "tax collector" is not necessarily a bad thing.
"Jesus refused to even speak to Pilate, the hightest ranking govt official He ever dealt with (although I'm doing this one from memory) except to say "If you say so" when Pilate demanded answers or some sort of defense from Him."
Jesus had to refuse to answer Pilate for the mere fact that Pilate was already inclined to release Him. Had Jesus revealed who He was to Pilate, He would have been immediately released, thus negating the purpose for Him coming to earth (i.e., to die for all sinners).
"The pivotal act in the Gospels is the govt murder of an innocent man."
Agreed, although there were "witnesses" that testified of the so-called "crimes" that Jesus committed. Because He chose not to defend Himself, He set the stage for His crucifixion.