I don't like paying taxes. My dislike, however, doesn't stem from some half-thought theory yammering on about "liberty." I certainly acknowledge that my taxes pay for many essential services. My problem is one of return on investment. Instead of health care, I get a thuggish imperialist military, subsides for the rich, and so on. In short, I am not too keen on paying for a state that is not run for my benefit.
That, one would think, is understandable. What is less understandable, for me anyway, is this religious devotion many rich have to not paying a single penny more in taxes. Considering these people are supposed to be so clever, does it not occur to them they have to pay to for the state that shapes the societal structure that perpetuates their privilege? Thirty, forty, fifty percent, whatever; it's a small price to pay for power.
It appears many of these folks have convinced themselves of their divine right to rule. Granted, this "right" is less focused on the metaphysical (most of the time at least) and instead infused with the legend of the uber-American grand entrepreneur. At any rate, with few notable exceptions, they've put on the blinders. Their neoliberal experiment of the last few decades has not restored the economic growth we saw after WWII. It has succeeded in increasing inequality. The rich have never been so rich, income for everyone else has stayed flat, at best. The state, their state, has had to pick up the slack. If history is any indicator, this is at their own peril.
That, one would think, is understandable. What is less understandable, for me anyway, is this religious devotion many rich have to not paying a single penny more in taxes. Considering these people are supposed to be so clever, does it not occur to them they have to pay to for the state that shapes the societal structure that perpetuates their privilege? Thirty, forty, fifty percent, whatever; it's a small price to pay for power.
It appears many of these folks have convinced themselves of their divine right to rule. Granted, this "right" is less focused on the metaphysical (most of the time at least) and instead infused with the legend of the uber-American grand entrepreneur. At any rate, with few notable exceptions, they've put on the blinders. Their neoliberal experiment of the last few decades has not restored the economic growth we saw after WWII. It has succeeded in increasing inequality. The rich have never been so rich, income for everyone else has stayed flat, at best. The state, their state, has had to pick up the slack. If history is any indicator, this is at their own peril.
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