Journal Interrobang's Journal: Why I Like Paying Taxes
I was just looking at the discussion about taxing e-commerce, so I guess the time has come...
Why I Like Paying Taxes
In Defense of the Commonweal
A lot of people apparently don't understand what exactly the government (or at least a functional government*) does for them, and it's a lot more than providing all those services you hear so much about. So, as a lesson in introductory civics for all of you out there who bitch and moan about paying taxes, let's look at what your taxes actually get you:
Economies of Scale: Think you'd like to live in a society where roads either didn't get built (or repaired) or where you'd have to pay tolls for each and every road you travelled on from the moment you left your driveway? Governments build roads (or at least they contract to build roads), and, because they're building roads for everyone, they're able to do it more cheaply than coalitions of private citizens would, and more efficiently than business would. (Why would you, if you were a private company, bother putting roads to where few people lived, when there's no percentage in it? For those of you who think I'm exaggerating or being pessimistic, take a look at the history of private fire insurance/fire departments, toll roads [in Southwestern Ontario], and rural electrification initiatives.) Governments also build infrastructure, like sewers, water mains, and electricity transmission lines. Think any of that would be better (read: less expensive) run by a sector (the private sector) that has to add its 15% ROI to the price tag? Don't make me laugh. (Today's headlines back to back, Toronto Star: "Eves hints at hydro rebate" and "Ontario Power Generation profit doubles.")
Governments also provide services that are easier and cheaper (on the whole) to implement en masse than they would be individually or even collectively at the community level, such as schools, the social safety net, public transit, and a myriad other programmes. Given the costs of private schools, for instance, I would much rather live in a world where everyone gets at least a "minimum basic" education (the ideology of this last is quite aside from the social impact) than some get lots and others get none at all. (School bashers who argue that public schools provide no education at all ought to sit back and really think about what a ridiculous charge that is.)
The Return On Investment: Ever notice how a lot of politicians try to bribe people with "rebates" or "credits" (as Oilcan Ernie and his hydro "rebate") when they're pushing through a programme that will allegedly save tax dollars (enabling the taxpayer to pay less) but will instead transfer the cost of the service (usually service) to the taxpayer individually? (Case in point, how much is a one-shot $250 rebate going to offset doubled and trebled hydro bills in the long run?) The worst part is, people fall for it, as soon as the pol in question says, "It's your money."
Well, of course it's your money, but you like (and live with) the things your money buys for you every day. Don't people realize that investments in society benefit themselves, as well as all those "other people" politicians and pundits try to trick them with, saying that those "other people" are the beneficiaries of their money?
Ah, well, I'm out of time and going home. Stay tuned for part II, when I will tell you about some of the things my tax dollars buy me that I like, and some of the fallacies of the anti-tax crowd.
*Totalitarian and anarchic states need not apply.
Why I Like Paying Taxes
In Defense of the Commonweal
A lot of people apparently don't understand what exactly the government (or at least a functional government*) does for them, and it's a lot more than providing all those services you hear so much about. So, as a lesson in introductory civics for all of you out there who bitch and moan about paying taxes, let's look at what your taxes actually get you:
Economies of Scale: Think you'd like to live in a society where roads either didn't get built (or repaired) or where you'd have to pay tolls for each and every road you travelled on from the moment you left your driveway? Governments build roads (or at least they contract to build roads), and, because they're building roads for everyone, they're able to do it more cheaply than coalitions of private citizens would, and more efficiently than business would. (Why would you, if you were a private company, bother putting roads to where few people lived, when there's no percentage in it? For those of you who think I'm exaggerating or being pessimistic, take a look at the history of private fire insurance/fire departments, toll roads [in Southwestern Ontario], and rural electrification initiatives.) Governments also build infrastructure, like sewers, water mains, and electricity transmission lines. Think any of that would be better (read: less expensive) run by a sector (the private sector) that has to add its 15% ROI to the price tag? Don't make me laugh. (Today's headlines back to back, Toronto Star: "Eves hints at hydro rebate" and "Ontario Power Generation profit doubles.")
Governments also provide services that are easier and cheaper (on the whole) to implement en masse than they would be individually or even collectively at the community level, such as schools, the social safety net, public transit, and a myriad other programmes. Given the costs of private schools, for instance, I would much rather live in a world where everyone gets at least a "minimum basic" education (the ideology of this last is quite aside from the social impact) than some get lots and others get none at all. (School bashers who argue that public schools provide no education at all ought to sit back and really think about what a ridiculous charge that is.)
The Return On Investment: Ever notice how a lot of politicians try to bribe people with "rebates" or "credits" (as Oilcan Ernie and his hydro "rebate") when they're pushing through a programme that will allegedly save tax dollars (enabling the taxpayer to pay less) but will instead transfer the cost of the service (usually service) to the taxpayer individually? (Case in point, how much is a one-shot $250 rebate going to offset doubled and trebled hydro bills in the long run?) The worst part is, people fall for it, as soon as the pol in question says, "It's your money."
Well, of course it's your money, but you like (and live with) the things your money buys for you every day. Don't people realize that investments in society benefit themselves, as well as all those "other people" politicians and pundits try to trick them with, saying that those "other people" are the beneficiaries of their money?
Ah, well, I'm out of time and going home. Stay tuned for part II, when I will tell you about some of the things my tax dollars buy me that I like, and some of the fallacies of the anti-tax crowd.
*Totalitarian and anarchic states need not apply.
