What doesn't make sense about my post to you? Please explain.
In your previous two posts, you were complaining that your taxes go towards supporting other people. That's pretty much the definition of a tax: If that money only went towards your well-being, it wouldn't be a tax, it would be you paying your employees.
Perhaps you should have a think about how a civilisation can even begin to form. IMO it comes down to two things: co-operation and support. A group of individuals who see that it is in each of their best interests to help the others in the group in order to survive and prosper. As the group gets larger, there will be more individuals who at a given moment in time are probably about as much use as an arsehole on one's elbow, but in time, given the proper support and training, will be productive members of that society. Some may take longer than others to become useful to society, some may never become useful, but because the rest of that society aren't a bunch of arseholes who'd throw say someone who is disabled or terminally ill to the wolves, they support them.
Here's another way to look at it, the most selfish way possible: If a system of welfare benefits isn't in place, the people who need it will become desperate enough to do something that you might not consider to be very civilised because it's your bottom line they're affecting; your car gets stolen / stripped for parts, or you get mugged on your way home, or all your valuable shit gets stolen from your home while you're at work, or someone fancies your house. You've already declared that you don't give a crap what happens to these people, why on earth should they respect you and what's yours?
Here's another selfish way to look at taxes: All the public services that you have and continue to benefit from every single day, those all go downhill in quality if people who can afford to pay taxes pay less.
I disagree, I do not believe that you have "pretty much" defined the definition of a tax. Taxation has nothing to do with directly and permanently supporting others, it never did. You may, of course, believe as you wish.
Perhaps you should think about your comments. It is my opinion that supporting able mind and bodied adults (feeding and housing with nothing required in return) is an exercise in societal waste within a universe of limited resources.
I never mentioned, nor meant, a temporary support or training of those needing help to become functioning taxpaying members of society. You assume far too much.
Regarding your comments on welfare, here is a way to look at things without being so emotional: Someone steals a car, they should get thrown in jail for 15 years. No parole. Some one attempts to mug me, they will be permanently injured in self defense by either myself or a security individual. Someone breaks into any residence, they may become permanently injured in self defense by either myself or a security individual, will be caught and should thrown in jail for 20 years. Again, no parole.
You are proposing that I should not have an issue with certain tax money expenditures when explained to me as a type of Mafia protection racket?! That is just not going to fly with myself, business acquaintances, or friends.
Taxes for basic public services is not the issue, taxes for work-study programs is not the issue, taxes for post-prison work programs is not the issue, neither are roadways, or any of these other things.
The issue is the same as it has always been:
If you give someone something for nothing, why would they work for it?
To be sure, I understand what you are attempting to say and I do apologize for coming off a bit stand-offish. Maybe I'm just an asshole, but maybe I just have a different point of view. Likely different from most people. Everyone is dealt a different hand, some much tougher than others. Knowing this, I can say with confidence - it's not the hand with which you start the game, but rather the one you end with, that defines who you are.
Anyways, excellent discussion!
