I think a difference in Conservatives and Progressives in how we see taxes is interesting. I, as a progressive, see taxes a little like I see Mutual Funds. A lot of people compile their money and use that large some to do something beneficial to all. Bush keeps telling us that we know how to spend our money better than the government. No we don't or at least no I don't. (Quick disclaimer - I believe that when a conservative talks about cutting taxes the conservative means cutting social programs only) If Bush gave me all my money back I would not know how to spend my money for the following things that are needed in my life:
1. Fixing my roads and highways - Should I get with neighbors and we all pitch in to hire a cement guy?
2. The internet - The government (who invented the internet with tax money) could reclaim the concept and take it from me. How do I get it back?
3. EPA - How do I go about testing and cleaning the river near me that is contaminated? I hope it doesn't involve taste testing.
4. Medical research - since almost all medical breakthroughs are from goverment (yes that means taxes) research, do I then hire a scientist to research the disease for which my father suffers?
5. Military - I did a decade in the Air Force, but now that I am no longer serving do I need to pay a soldiers annual salary or just go to Afghanistan myself.
6. Police - I am in law enforcement myself so do I need to protect my neighbors and they pay me for it? Is that pay weekly or per event?
7. Fire - Do my neighbors and I just buy 900 foot hoses and leave them connected at all times?
8. Water - While I'm thinking about the fire - how do I get water to my house at all? I could drop a pump near that dirty river.
Let's leave it at 8 examples. The main question is: How am I going to pay for all this with the $7000 I paid in taxes last year? I believe in a more efficient government.
