[Johnny_Cipher]

Though these may not necessarily benefit each of us personally and directly, they were accomplished with the assistance of funding that would not be available were it not for the decisions of kings, princes, and the like (e.g. government).

Kings, princes, and the like are NOT equivalent in any way to constitutional government. Kings and princes rule over subjects, while I am no one's subject.

The Medici family and the Pope at the time bankrolled much of Michelangelo's work - let modern-day patrons step forward and do the same. But don't ask me to do it with my tax dollars.

[Fester Chugabrew]

. . . I am no one's subject.

The heck you're not. Try robbing a bank.