What do your taxes pay for?

[Blue Mountain]

My taxes paid for new 911 center equipment!

I commend the City of Chicago for their responsible stewardship over my tax dollars and security!

Reported as an attempt to derail the thread.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

I agree that taxes are necessary and not an evil thing. Like most taxpayers, I bristle at waste and fraud (like the billions of dollars the U.S. lost in Iraq--money that will never be accounted for at all).

I'm also annoyed that even though I make less than the median income of Israel, I pay U.S. federal income tax that goes in part to huge amounts of aid to Israel.

 

[Blue Mountain]

Let's see if I can return this thread to its intended topic:

I'd prefer this thread enumerate agencies and programs the posters find useful, rather than getting derailed into arguments over whether the government or private interests should be supplying the services.

I guess I should have added "or whining about things you don't like about how your tax money is spent."

I had hoped the overall thrust of the OP was obvious, but some have decided to use it as a complaints ground about corruption and abuse. That wasn't the intent of the thread, despite the unfortunately open-ended title.

Unless, of course, those posters are beneficiaries of the corruption and abuse

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Let's see if I can return this thread to its intended topic:



I guess I should have added "or whining about things you don't like about how your tax money is spent."

I had hoped the overall thrust of the OP was obvious, but some have decided to use it as a complaints ground about corruption and abuse. That wasn't the intent of the thread, despite the unfortunately open-ended title.

Unless, of course, those posters are beneficiaries of the corruption and abuse

You introduced a thread asking what your taxes pay for. I don't think it's fair of you to limit it only to the good things or the things you approve of.

Otherwise, it'd be analogous to me starting a thread about abortion but only allowing pro-choice (my position) posts.

Look up near the top of this window--the forum is "a place to discuss skepticism, critical thinking, the paranormal and science in a friendly and lively way". I don't think a thread that says only post evidence in support of one side of an issue is a good example of critical thinking. (In fact, it sounds like an invitation to practice confirmation bias.)

And again, I'm more sympathetic with your position than, for example, the anti-government Tea Party or Libertarian notions we're being inundated with here in the U.S.

 

[Blue Mountain]

You introduced a thread asking what your taxes pay for. I don't think it's fair of you to limit it only to the good things or the things you approve of.

Otherwise, it'd be analogous to me starting a thread about abortion but only allowing pro-choice (my position) posts.

Look up near the top of this window--the forum is "a place to discuss skepticism, critical thinking, the paranormal and science in a friendly and lively way". I don't think a thread that says only post evidence in support of one side of an issue is a good example of critical thinking. (In fact, it sounds like an invitation to practice confirmation bias.)

And again, I'm more sympathetic with your position than, for example, the anti-government Tea Party or Libertarian notions we're being inundated with here in the U.S.

There are lots of other threads where people complain about how the government (mis)spends their taxes. This thread was intended to provide a counterpoint to them. Which is why I worded the OP the way I did. Or did you not read it?

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

There are lots of other threads where people complain about how the government (mis)spends their taxes. This thread was intended to provide a counterpoint to them. Which is why I worded the OP the way I did. Or did you not read it?

I read it, but I reject the idea that a thread where you're only free to post a "ditto" or evidence of one point of view is a legitimate use of this forum.

We are also free to post evidence of the ways government correctly uses its revenues on those many other threads that complain of governments misspending taxes.

ETA: I notice, for example, that the moderators apparently don't agree with you that WildCat's post was off topic. This really is a place for engaging in discussion, not just for finding people who would repeat or support your own position.

 

[Blue Mountain]

I read it, but I reject the idea that a thread where you're only free to post a "ditto" or evidence of one point of view is a legitimate use of this forum.

We are also free to post evidence of the ways government correctly uses its revenues on those many other threads that complain of governments misspending taxes.

After re-reading my OP and your comments ... I agree.

Keep that clue-by-four of yours handy. You may have to use it again.

 

[WildCat]

My tax dollars paid for city water crews to work on private property, but the guy responsible was fired (not charged with a crime, oh no!).

But don't worry, now that guy was hired by the County for a $90,000/yr job, no one knows exctly what is is his job duties are but I'm sure it's totally necessary.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2800346,fired-chicago-worker-hired-by-stroger-101310.article

I hope they continue to raise my taxes to pay for these essential workers doing critical work. The County budget has been cut to the bone, Stroger assured us of that. Not a single penny of waste here! And even if it is wasted it's just because they're trying to stimulate the economy.

 

[Gawdzilla Sama]

"Dissent opinions now allowed"? Is this RaptureReady?

 

[Blue Mountain]

I hope they continue to raise my taxes to pay for these essential workers doing critical work. The County budget has been cut to the bone, Stroger assured us of that. Not a single penny of waste here! And even if it is wasted it's just because they're trying to stimulate the economy.

Hmmm. Do you think your taxes pay for anything useful, or is every last penny thrown away into a black hole?

 

[Blue Mountain]

"Dissent opinions now allowed"? Is this RaptureReady?

As written, this doesn't make much sense. Maybe a typo (now -> not)?

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Some of my taxes also pay for fire fighters (and all sorts of other emergency services). That way we don't have to rely on subscriber-based emergency services and end up with stories like this one:

http://www.usatoday.com/communities...n-down-because-owner-hadnt-paid-75-city-fee/1

Also, I live in St. Louis which sits right on the Mississippi River. The bridges that span the river were all 100% paid for with taxpayer money. I can't even imagine how the free market could possibly handle such a thing. (I imagine the morning rush hour delays if cars had to pay a toll or even show a pass to prove they'd paid to use the bridge. And I doubt it would be able to turn a profit anyway. These large engineering projects are incredibly expensive.)

 

[Kestrel]

Also, I live in St. Louis which sits right on the Mississippi River. The bridges that span the river were all 100% paid for with taxpayer money. I can't even imagine how the free market could possibly handle such a thing. (I imagine the morning rush hour delays if cars had to pay a toll or even show a pass to prove they'd paid to use the bridge. And I doubt it would be able to turn a profit anyway. These large engineering projects are incredibly expensive.)

The government paid for the bridge, but he free market built it. A combination that can work rather well for large engineering projects.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

The government paid for the bridge, but he free market built it.

Nonsense. It was paid for 100% by taxpayer money. It doesn't need to return a profit for anyone. It can be used freely by everyone.

 

[richardm]

The government paid for the bridge, but he free market built it. A combination that can work rather well for large engineering projects.

Would the free market have built it if the government hadn't paid?

 

[Kestrel]

Nonsense. It was paid for 100% by taxpayer money. It doesn't need to return a profit for anyone. It can be used freely by everyone.

The bridge wasn't designed by government officials and built by state workers. Government officials may have decided a bridge was needed and set up basic specifications for the bridge. But the bridge was designed and constructed by private contractors.