tigress said:
See, I actually like paying taxes. I know that puts me in a tiny minority. But I would be perfectly willing to give up a significantly higher percentage of my money to taxes if it meant the country could be more like how I want it, on a more European model (yes, more "socialist," if you'd like to call it that).
But to people who hate taxes, do you like having an interstate system? Paved roads? Sewers and sanitation? Public education is necessary; how else would we educate our workforce to do all of the jobs that need to be done (from engineers to construction workers, people need at least a basic education)? EVERYBODY benefits from the public education system, which is why the school voucher issue bothers me so much. A huge part of our infrastructure is supported by tax dollars. How about the military? Do you think we should try supporting the military with privately raised money?
That's what I don't really understand about the strict Libertarian ideals: how in the world can you run the country without things like taxes and centralized government? I think you could make a good argument that our country is huge, and perhaps should be more decentralized, with more local governing power, but even so you need a centralized state government with a tax system, a police force, etc.
Holy crap!!... I didn't think people like you existed.. First, you must not work or pay taxes because nobody likes working and having their money taken away..
Let me explain something for you..
Libertarians are not Anarchists.. We do not want to abolish taxes.. We want fiscal responsibility and constant streamlining to run the most lean and efficient government possible.. Provide the services.. leave us alone if it doesn't affect public safety.. (ie.. who cares about making laws about how far away your deck should be from your house.. (could be argued that it's for safety reasons but in which case, that person should be shot..etc)
Yes, I like my highways and roads. Yes, I will pay taxes for them. No, I do not think they are efficient. Superpave has been around for 15 years. It includes strong rubber with the asphalt and other binders to prevent it from developing pot holes, to uphold the stress of modern heavy semis, and to withstand the stress of freezing and grilling of the seasons. However, it took them 15 years to get state governments to start adopting it. Why? Because asphalt that breaks.. needs to be fixed.. which adds jobs to the local economy. By extending the life of asphalt x 3, you eliminate jobs. These are the stupid things I do not agree with..
And your increased taxes... If they just used the money they have right now efficiently, we wouldn't need higher taxes.. go to
www.cagw.org and see the list of Pork belly reps and their spendings.. if you're lazy.. here's a quick list for 2005 of what YOU are paying for..
The Sapping the Taxpayers Award
for $6.3 million for
wood utilization research.
.. If it's needed, the industry would do it itself.. not rely on gov't funding..
The Halls of Shame Award
for $1.4 million for various Halls of Fame, including: $75,000 for the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame and $70,000 for the
Paper Industry Hall of Fame.
... Most colleges and sports teams use revenues or donations to build halls of fame..
La Pork-a-Racha Award
for $25,000 for the Clark County School District in Nevada for
curriculum development to study
mariachi music
... Really? Do you need to give each school district money instead of just telling the teacher to have the students do a research project on mariachi music? (I'm for big education spending but for good teachers and facilties and basic books.. all fringe knowledge is now researchable from the internet and libraries..)
The Burrowing a Hole in our Wallets Award
to Representative John Peterson (R-Pa.) for
adding $100,000 for the
Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center Museum.
.. First, where is Punxsutawney.. why are FEDERAL $'s going to a museum instead of state $.. and if the museum is not attracting patrons, stop bailing it out with taxes instead of reinventing it to re-attract patrons.. (or just close it and realize that people don't like museums that much anymore and if they want to see one, they'll go into the nearest big city museum..)
$4 million per year for PENILE implants.. part of Congress/Senate's budget.. I mean.. so the dude got his penis chopped off.. or he wants it bigger.. or he was born with a defect.. Do you really think the country should pay for this crap??
WORST OF ALL:
Many people who recieve funding use it all, and request an increase year after year.. If some group doesn't use all the money, they will make sure to spend it on something or risk having their funding cut in the following budget..
I know many organizations who have come under budget.. but in the last month create a "committee to investigate..." and then spend the rest so they can request more..
