Why are we even taxed … doesn’t make sense?

Seeking Advice
1

I don’t get it … why do we need taxes when the government can just print money? Hear me out before calling me crazy. Governments already make profits from businesses, so isn’t that enough to run things? Plus, when they raise lending rates, inflation goes up, and who benefits? The government does.

Look at countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. They have no income tax, yet their citizens enjoy better services, infrastructure, and lower poverty. Can someone explain why we’re stuck with this system?

2

You trying to get Ruto to send someone after you? And I don’t mean to take you out for lunch.

3

Masitsa said:
You trying to get Ruto to send someone after you? And I don’t mean to take you out for lunch.

Maybe brunch would be better?

4

Your argument works in countries like Kenya, where taxes mainly benefit the rich. But if taxes are used properly, they do make sense.

5

Printing money would crash its value. The countries you mentioned, like Saudi and Qatar, make enough from tourism and oil to cover everything without taxes.

6

You lost me when you said the government could just print more money.

7

Avery said:
You lost me when you said the government could just print more money.

But they do print money. That’s why inflation exists, no?

8

Jace said:

Avery said:
You lost me when you said the government could just print more money.

But they do print money. That’s why inflation exists, no?

Money is just a way to account for goods and services in the real economy.

9

Jace said:

Avery said:
You lost me when you said the government could just print more money.

But they do print money. That’s why inflation exists, no?

Governments only print a specific amount of currency, not unlimited.

10

Taxes aren’t about morals; they’re part of an economic system brought by the colonialists. An economist, Warren Mosler, says taxes were created to reduce people’s spending power so they keep working. Another reason is to control excess cash in the economy to avoid inflation.

You’re right that governments can print money, but there’s a limit before inflation kicks in. Mosler also argues that taxes don’t directly fund government projects; the money is essentially destroyed after collection. Check out his book or videos called ‘The Seven Deadly Innocent Frauds of Economic Policy.’

11

Learn some basic economics before saying stuff like this.

12

Ali said:
Learn some basic economics before saying stuff like this.

I’ve got enough knowledge to last three lifetimes. Got a better counterpoint, or nah?

13

Jace said:

Ali said:
Learn some basic economics before saying stuff like this.

I’ve got enough knowledge to last three lifetimes. Got a better counterpoint, or nah?

Clearly not, since printing money always leads to inflation. Governments have tried this from ancient Athens to Zimbabwe, and it’s never worked. Google it.

14

Could you compare Kenya’s tax system to that of Qatar or Saudi Arabia? Include details on how revenue is generated.

15

Everyone living in a country should contribute to services that individuals can’t manage on their own. The real question is how much should we pay? Why 5% instead of 15%, or the other way around?

16

Dell said:
Everyone living in a country should contribute to services that individuals can’t manage on their own. The real question is how much should we pay? Why 5% instead of 15%, or the other way around?

Good point. We should also compare countries with similar tax rates and see what they deliver.

17

Taxes don’t make sense here because they don’t benefit the people. But printing more money isn’t a solution either—it just leads to inflation.

18

Wow, some people must have slept through business studies!

19

Keaton said:
Wow, some people must have slept through business studies!

I might’ve skipped that class, but my bank account looks just fine.

20

Jace said:

Keaton said:
Wow, some people must have slept through business studies!

I might’ve skipped that class, but my bank account looks just fine.

Cool story, bro.