This is a relatively short thought, but I wanted to have a public post and get reactions. There’s a part in Capitalism: A Love Story (that sadly I don’t have a link for - if you look for and find a clip, please do share) where they discuss how life was “back in the day” in regards to taxes and the economy - according to Wikipedia “ the past "golden days” of American capitalism following World War II". I guess it’s close to the start of the movie. Anyway, excuse the huge oversimplification, but from what I remember the basic gist was that the taxes were far higher but everything was just fine because you didn’t need as much money anyway. Then presidents got elected by promising tax cuts and etc. and now people have grown up with low taxes and feel taxes are evil and think the government is stealing their money.

        I know there’s a lot of economics and history missing from this (feel free to enlighten me, though) but just focus on the taxes aspect. Whether or not you agree with government spending policies or like the people in charge or whatever, just the part about your money and the government using whatever portion of it.

        If your government were to RAISE taxes, and put that money towards increasing your quality of life and generally taking better care of its citizens, how would you react? You and everyone else with a job might stand to lose as much as 20% more of your income, but the money would go towards cheaper/better quality education, lowered costs of living, governmental childcare, lowered sales tax and things like that. It could very well be that you come out of the equation with more disposable income.

        Don’t just respond and say “yeah sure” or ravage me for being a socialist and a tax-lover - what’s the logic behind your position? Why do you think (or, more likely, feel) that way?

        For my part, yeah, I’m sure I already sound pretty sympathetic in regards to this. But then I’m unemployed and almost all of the money taken off of my previous paychecks came straight back as a tax return. Plus my parents (both previously/presently employed for the Canada Revenue Agency) have handled my taxes for me in the past. I would be ok with this, though, because I don’t NEED a whole lot of money above and beyond my expenses - money is only a means to an end. Money pays for my food, money will in the future pay for my lodgings, and at the moment it pays for my education. Maybe if I were nearly bankrupt I would worry about how much money I have, but as long as I can afford to live, I’m doing alright. If I have extra, that’s great - but having $100 in the bank and $10,000 is emotionally equivalent for me.

        You may, of course, dismiss this as naive and nod sagely from your vantage point in “the real world.” I doubt I will ever value money, however. If that’s the case, I doubt I’ll change radically when it comes to taxes. But please do tell me if you believe I’m wrong, or right, or if you believe much of anything on the subject.