Let’s remember, gentlemen, that those arguing in favor of new taxes and higher tax rates take the current levels of taxation and government services as a baseline.
They’ll admit when pressed that government does not operate as efficiently as it can, but their idea of increased efficiency means trimming a bit here and there.
They do not consider the prospect that the government devotes taxpayer resources to items that lie completely outside the bounds of necessity.
If your mindset convinces you that the government is justified in doing all that it does now, it makes perfect sense to look for ways to expand your revenue stream.
Imagine how much different the taxation debate would be if these same people took a different approach:
1. Government exists to perform certain core functions (such as public safety). These core functions constitute the priorities.
2. Beyond the core functions, taxpayers might be willing to support spending for other items. That willingness is tied remarkably closely to the level at which those taxpayers allow government to tax them.
3. Given that nexus between taxpayers’ willingness to part with their money and the proper level of government spending, resources devoted to non-essential items should be limited by the revenue levels generated by the types of taxes taxpayers see and understand.
