>>>>>snip
>>>>>
>>>>>>Damn that pesky electorate. How dare they want to keep what they earn. If only they'd succomb to the wisdom of an enlightneed elite. ;)
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Can you name any evolved society / country in which people get to keep all of what they earn? There are some who seem to feel that is an inalienable human right, but in fact such a society does not exist.
>>>>
>>>>The United States 1776-1862 & 1868-1913.
>>>>
>>>
>>>My God, man. No one would want to * come * to a country like that ! How would it ever attract immigrants?
>>
>>naturally low taxation was uppermost in all the emigrants minds.
>>
>>
>>Perhaps someone from the low taxation land of the free could explain why Europes most successful economy (Germany) is a high taxation country. Why aren't all those German businessmen fleeing. (I'll mention the war and Nazis here to pre empt that)
>
>Speaking seriously for a moment, I don't actually have an issue with taxation or taxation rates. I have an issue with taxes used to fund social engineering schemes that are not subject to results testing and are driven by ideology rather than outcome.
>
>I really do believe it is the role of government to present a level playing field for all citizens and especially to protect children and the powerless from circumstances that are not in any way their fault or under their control.
>
>I am much more of a bleeding heart in that respect than I would appear to be as I find it equally important to oppose those enthralled by big government, central planning and outdated "progressive" and Marxian visions that in fact are the tool of those who would have careers living off of taxpayers and shouting down anyone who questions their right to fund their theories with other people's money.
>
>I will never be in support of the self-sustaining nature of a political class that uses tax money to reward supporters to sustain power.
>
>I distrust soi disant experts who manipulate by playing on the the intellectual insecurities of aspiring intellectuals and I abhor demagogues who know where the soft spots are in those whose greatest aspiration is just to think well of themselves.
>
>When government truly is more dedicated to funding equality of opportunity than equality of outcome I will be more supportive of government as a solution.
>
>Taxes aren't the issue. I don't like the idea that governments will automatically spend other people's money more intelligently than they will spend it themselves. I think the burden of proof is on the government.

With all the animosity which has somehow arisen between us it is refreshing to say we are in substantial agreement. We are a little off on your last point about government spending people's money more intelligently than they will, because some will choose not to spend it on anything other than themselves. On the main point, which you express eloquently in your second paragraph, we are in complete agreement. And I am certainly not for entrenched "big government," which may surprise some people here.

Have a good day and a good Thanksgiving. I have been working quite hard and am ready for a break. The past couple of days have seemed like wash, rinse, repeat.