Wasn't there a time that there were no taxes in the United States? So, how did taxes become accepted and mandatory in the United States? What are the origins and why were they accepted?
At one time, if a person needed help, they went to the church, correct? Well, what if a person did not believe the way the church did? What if the church refused to help? What if the church and it's followers passed judgment on the person needing help? Where did a person in need turn then?
What if the help received just wasn't enough?
What if someone is unable to find work? What if illness has caused unemployment? What if a person is unable to afford education? What if a person would fail some of the required curriculum required to educate themselves (what if a math minded person is awful in English and would fail required English courses)? What if someone is educated but still can not find work? What if someone is an outcast, unpopular, and disliked? What if someone is disabled and can not work (and do not have family or wealth)? What about the working poor....those that work but their pay is not keeping up with the cost of living? What about the elderly that can no longer work but are already choosing between heat, food, or medicine, even with assistance and/or social security?
I wonder if taxes were allowed and accepted because the government was willing to help the situations mentioned above when individuals and/or private organizations refused to help or did not offer enough help? Were taxes made mandatory because human nature is often selfish and many would never give one penny willingly?
Wasn't there a time welfare recipients could also go to college and later became taxpayers....giving back through taxes to the very system that had helped them?
Do you think we, as a society, should vote on what percentage of taxes go to each need? For example, should x% go to social services, x% to military/defense, x% to roadways, etc. Also, should the general public vote on the salary/pay of all government jobs?
What is your solution?
If all taxes were eliminated, would it effect the crime rate? What would happen to those in poverty if the help they receive was taken away?
Have you ever lived in poverty? If so, did anyone help you with an education, food, rent, etc.? If so, what would you have done without that help?
I would like to hear this topic discussed by many different minds and opinions, so please share your knowledge and opinions.