No doubt we are overtaxed.
Worse, many of the 'services'provided in return are things no sane person would want, let alone need.
I would be happy if the Feds did little more than keep the borders secure (they aren't, I know) do air traffic control.
IMO, the "government services" argument for taxation is inexcusably idiotic.
The argument, as we know, is that taxation is payment for government services that we, the taxpayers, use.
Even a moment's reflection on this theory reveals numerous holes in it:
- If we need these services so badly, why does our money have to be confiscated to pay for them? It would seem obvious that we would willingly pay for services we need.
- What kind of service provider charges you for services basd on your income, and not on the services you use?
- Exactly what "services" did each taxpayer use in 2001? Where's the personalized invoice that contains line items detailing each specific service each taxpayer used, the date of the service and the charge for that specific service (think of your phone bill). We should be able to add up all these items and come up with our 2001 tax bill.
Truthfully government taxation at current levels is really about pork-barrelling and wealth redistribution. The embarrassing "services" argument is absolutely preposterous.