Would you give up your favorite government program if you never had to pay income tax

[Ara825]

Similar story... IRS raided my grandfather's business. Took all the equipment, dump trucks, pickup trucks, etc. They then moved to the house... removed him and my grandmother... auctioned everything.

Broke at age 50... worse than broke as they still handed him a bill after it was said and done.

He made most it back by the time he retired... but swore that if they ever came to the house again there would be 1 less group of agents working for the IRS. Can not repeat the exact quote as the moderators on this board have become very touchy about the mere mention of something that could be deemed "violent".

My great grandfather's farm was in Grayson County, TX. The govt condemed his land, then flooded it when they built the Dension Dam to create Lake Texoma. That land is now part of the Hagerman Oil Field. And don't even get me started on my ancestors and the Trail of Tears.

 

[zmyrick19]

I've been asked this question before and, forgive me for playing Devil's Advocate, but I think it's based on a false premise; chiefly, that one who believes in the necessity of certain government programs only does so out of self-interest. There are a lot of people out there who have no need for government programs, but want them for other people out of charitable spirit. Whether or not this is a misguided worldview is up for debate, but most people I hear advocating government programs (and I don't just mean politicians, but normal people) do so for those less fortunate than themselves.

But, the thing to consider is: Should everyone be forced to give toward a cause just because a minority wants to give?

Dr. Paul would advocate individuals giving privately and no government intervention.

 

[Ronin]

OP - I don't rely on the government. The government relies on me.

 

[Ronin]

But, the thing to consider is: Should everyone be forced to give toward a cause just because a minority wants to give?

Dr. Paul would advocate individuals giving privately and no government intervention.

Exactly. Take someone who's tax dollars/national debt is subsidizing a number of programs for other people. Because of these taxes, he doesn't have money for food, etc. You are thus punishing this person for the welfare of another.

Under this welfare state philosophy, the government's solution to the above problem would be to help this person pay for his food, etc. It's never ending.

Historical sites are 1 thing... 1/2 the country is another.

I need to research the number, but I believe the US govt owns half the land in the USA.

http://www.citizenreviewonline.org/feb_2002/corridors_of_wilderness.htm

The above link states 28% of the total land is controlled by the government...

The Federal Government controls: 657,000,000 acres (657 MILLION ACRES).

This obviously does not include the lands controlled by states and local governments.

The parks service has one of the largest budgets in the whole federal gov't. It is also one of the few programs that generate money.

 

[AggieforPaul]

Pragmatically speaking, I wouldn't do it right now. I get way more in student grants than I pay in taxes. But I'd happily pay for college myself if it meant I never had to pay an income tax when i started working.

 

[PauliticsPolitics]

I would continue driving on government roads, and I would continue using government water (i.e. tap water). So whatever programs build the roads and handle the water and sewers, I would not give up those. Although I guess I could have my own water tank, depending on where I lived.

When I was young, everyone who didn't live in the city had a well and septic tank. Now, it seems like the government is running water and sewer lines all over the country and requiring people to hook into it. So, even the places where government doesn't touch you, they are making sure to find you and force you to get everything through them. I say get rid of all of these kinds of services and let us take care of ourselves.

HEY PEOPLE - - ROADS AND WATER ARE ALMOST 100% RUN BY STATES, CITIES, AND PRIVATE COMPANIES! THIS IS NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

We are talking about federal government here. The role of your city and state is local politics, and way more crucial.