Taxes… good, bad, or just necessary?

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Taxes fund things like roads, schools, firefighters, and healthcare, but they’re also criticized for being mismanaged or wasted. Some say taxes aren’t necessary—like using donations or lotteries instead—but can those really replace taxes today?

What about corporate ads on public roads to fund infrastructure? Or even taxing unhealthy behaviors like smoking to pay for healthcare? There are lots of ideas out there, but I think if taxes are managed well, they actually improve life for everyone—things like reducing medical debt, student loans, or bad working conditions.

Curious to hear thoughts. Are taxes just a necessary evil, or is there a better system that makes sense?

2

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3

Taxes are theft, plain and simple. If I work for my money, it’s mine. Why does the government get a cut?

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Zev said:
Taxes are theft, plain and simple. If I work for my money, it’s mine. Why does the government get a cut?

Name a functioning country that has no taxes. Without taxes, you wouldn’t have basic infrastructure.

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@Rian
People act like society wouldn’t exist without taxes, but that’s not true. Voluntary donations and markets could fund services.

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Zev said:
@Rian
People act like society wouldn’t exist without taxes, but that’s not true. Voluntary donations and markets could fund services.

That might work on a very small scale, like a village, but not in a modern country with millions of people.

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Zev said:
@Rian
People act like society wouldn’t exist without taxes, but that’s not true. Voluntary donations and markets could fund services.

Good luck finding volunteers to build highways or pay for hospitals. People will avoid donating if they can.

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Zev said:
Taxes are theft, plain and simple. If I work for my money, it’s mine. Why does the government get a cut?

Taxes pay for things we all use: roads, healthcare, education. Without them, only the rich would have access to these things.

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@Zorion
That’s just forced charity. Let people decide where their money goes instead.

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Zev said:
@Zorion
That’s just forced charity. Let people decide where their money goes instead.

The problem is, people wouldn’t choose to fund things like clean water systems or public hospitals if they didn’t have to. Taxes make sure everyone benefits.

11

Sounds like Stockholm syndrome… defending taxes like they’re doing you a favor.

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If I get paid in Bitcoin, should that income be taxed? Doesn’t that mess with the argument that the government owns the money?

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Kai said:
If I get paid in Bitcoin, should that income be taxed? Doesn’t that mess with the argument that the government owns the money?

Governments don’t accept Bitcoin for taxes, but it’s still income. Whether it’s Bitcoin or cash, you’re still earning money.

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@Aeron
But if I stick to crypto and don’t use national currency, shouldn’t I be free of taxes?

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If you make money in another country or use foreign currency, does that mean the government shouldn’t tax it? After all, they didn’t ‘make’ that money.

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Shea said:
If you make money in another country or use foreign currency, does that mean the government shouldn’t tax it? After all, they didn’t ‘make’ that money.

You’re still using the roads, water, and everything else the government maintains.

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@Dustin
That doesn’t match the argument the original poster made. OP said taxes are justified because the government ‘made’ the money. Foreign earnings don’t fit that.

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Shea said:
@Dustin
That doesn’t match the argument the original poster made. OP said taxes are justified because the government ‘made’ the money. Foreign earnings don’t fit that.

Whether it’s local or foreign money, you’re still relying on public infrastructure. You can’t just pick and choose what you use.

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If I work for my income, it’s my money. I don’t mind paying taxes, but don’t tell me I’m just ‘borrowing’ it.

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Taxes are necessary for society to function—schools, roads, law enforcement—but governments do waste a lot of money. Spending needs to be smarter.