Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.

[gulliver]

31. I agree with your OP completely.

In terms of undermining people's faith, I was talking about how Republicans undermine people's faith in the the American government, education systems, agencies, laws, employees, etc. To save the wealthy a little money on taxes, Republicans constantly slander and ridicule the government and the people in it. They talk about how the government is the problem, and drowning it in the bathtub, etc. Regulations, which put laws into effect, are evil, small business stranglers written by implacable enemies of American prosperity. One hears these jokes and this ridicule so often, it starts to seem like Republicans really don't believe in democracy.

I agree with your OP. Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society. We govern ourselves democratically, and there is no limit on taxes or government size other than the limits set by the legitimate voice of the voters. Any discussion about whether taxes are too high, or whether the right or wrong people are being taxed needs to be taken up with the democracy. I have nothing against Republicans making an argument against taxes. But the argument should be made with proper respect for the fact that the taxes that are in place are duly enacted by the democracy, the boss. Griping about those taxes, lying about their value to society, and calling them "theft" or coercion is insubordinate to the boss. It undermines respect of the citizens for their country. Of course, it is Republican free speech right to do that, but it is also mine to say that it is unpatriotic.