>>- well, when you look at how govts spend money these days, the concept of value goes out the window.
1- Who are "govts"?
At least in the US, no "govt" ever spent money without the implied approval of the electorate.
At any one time the spending may be unpopular (e.g - the Vietnam and Iraq wars) but over time, the electorate expresses its approval or disapproval at the ballot box.

2- "these days"?
When did govts ever have a concept of value and when were taxes ever popular?
Even Jesus put tax collectors below prostitutes on the moral ladder.