Good turn around to the proper question. I just remembered a quote from somewhere; "To those who acquire great wealth comes great responsibility." I saw Will I Am on a show recently. This guy is spending millions starting those S.T.E.M. facilities all over the world, including his childhood neighborhood. Quietly, unobtrusively, and like it's what he should be doing; no big deal.

More people should follow his example.

Last year I paid a higher tax rate than Mitt Romney did. And my income was 50% less than it was in 2007. I don't see any conclusion other than yours.

This is what taxes should be used for, but for many people here, this is socialism. This will destroy the U.S. apparently.

Only humans love humanity. Most of the 1 percenters are not like us, some are real humans but most are more like animals. A human needs billions like a well fed pet hamster needs to keep stuffing his cheeks and relocating his food stash, it's just animal instinct gone awry.

Great post. You're right, the focus should be on the people who are broken.

Aww...Some people are too busy stockpiling a years' worth of food to notice those who starved to death under their very noses...

the money you give to sally ann goes to a good cause. the money taken from you by the irs goes where the government wants, as you mention, such as financing mass murder. paying your taxes is not contributing to charity, it's subsidizing criminals. they take it from you at gunpoint, of course, but don't pretend that you are anything but a cash cow.

So, al loomis, you assume that it is impossible for government to do kindness? Are you that angry and canalized an individual? I hope you're not married, because that same mistrust will carry over to a wife or child.

Pretty strong words there neutron. And a low ball shot at A L.
You feel sorry for his wife and kids.

Your OP says it all to me. You just happen to only point out one waste of tax dollars. Military. I guess you didn't want to mention and liberal cause wasted dollars.

And more to the point.
"But some of those dollars go to people who need my help."

That is exactly the problem. "Some" is not good enough. How about "almost all". As Al said , if I give to Sally Ann she gets it ALL.

Here is an example of why I DON'T love paying taxes.

I recently have been traveling back and forth between Austin and N.O. I have been offering ride shares as I need help with the drive. Mostly young people respond.

Last time I got 2 20 somethings that did not know each other. A guy and a girl. I did not engage these kids in political conversation. The conversation was between the two of them. The girl is heading back to N.O. where she does nothing but some street performance in the Quarter not earning any real money. She is healthy, smart enough and a college degree. She says she thinks college is not for getting an education to get a job. It is for 4 years for social activity.
She has no expectation of ever using her degree for a job.

She moans that the state of LA requires she must actually do some work to her food stamps. Saying it as not so where she is from. Somewhere in the northwest. Portland, Seattle, I forget. So a while later I ask (and I really did not know) what are the requirements for food stamps. She answers by telling specifically what she did to get it in LA.

"Well I went to the office and I told them I had a job but I quit it for the following reasons"
I never asked what the reasons were.

"Then I told them I was working as a street performer and told them how much I make and how much rent I pay. I could have totally lied but I didn't. You have to have a note signed by a roommate indicating what we pay in rent and how much I make. That is about it. I get $240 a month for food."

Now is that right? That young , healthy , educated girl quit a job that obviously paid her too much to qualify for food stamps because she feel she has a right to be a starving street performer. It may not be fraud assuming she is following the rules but it is abuse. Yet someone else is starving under her lazy ass nose. So lets giver her single payer health care for free and her life is set. Then all she needs to do is pay a share of rent, keep a few clothes on her back and NEVER contribute a damn thing to society. Just take.

Now in contrast, my parents eat regularly at a cafeteria in rural LA. When I visit I go with them a lot. There is a young man there that is a waiter. He has become friends with my parents and has shares personal stuff with them each visit.
My parents have told me he as a degree in business from the very school I went to nearby. It has been several years and he can find nothing in his area. So he waits tables in a cafeteria. Last time I was there he said the following to my father.

"I am getting tired of working here. I work a lots of shifts. It is not what I aspire to but I will stay until I can find something better. I have saved a few thousand dollars (he said that with pride, as he well deserves to) . I am paying down my student loans pretty good as well. I don't buy things like fancy cell phones and stuff. I am hoping I can save enough for a down payment on a small house. My friends my age spend their money on things they don't need and do not plan. Just complain."

My parents always tip the young man well. The tip well in general, but they have a special respect for this young man. They realize the economy sucks and this guy should have a better jog with his degree. But my father see himself in him.
My parent were dirt poor with 3 kids in the early '50s. And my dad worked hard and saved hard. And like this kid had a plan.

Can you see the difference between this girl and this guy. One has pride , ambition and probably doesn't even know how to get food stamps. The other has mastered the ability to live off the gov at an early age. I am sure she loves taxes since she doesn't pay a penny. No doubt she does not pay the 15% self employment tax on whatever she does make, making her a criminal. And I am sure she does not care that she is not earning SS credits. Because she has no plan. Other than that the gov will somehow always be there for her. This girl is morally bankrupt. Yes she live a meager life style but she chooses it.
She has every right to be a street artist. She has no moral right to make anyone pay for it when she has other options.
She is not physically or mentally impaired an any way.
On the contrary she is quite clever.

When I picked up at the agreed location, he dad was there. No doubt to make sure he could get a look at me to make sure I was safe. I looked him over as well. He just seemed like a nice enough guy concerned for his daughter.
No I look back and try to remember his face. And I try to figure out just what the hell he taught his daughter about self responsibility. Apparently nothing.

Joseph Cole, like Loomis, you're assuming the worst motives of government. You trust the money you give to a specific person. You don't trust that anyone else can give your money, or anyone else's money, for a good cause. Your assumption is the same as his; that government is absolutely and irredeemably evil.

There are too many big problems that individuals can't handle by themselves, or by the random nature of "good deeds" performed by individuals. And your outrage about the evil done by government is blinding you to the good it does, and how much better it can do with the right people in place.

I'm simply saying that you've given up on the possibility of collective action for good, on the very principle of government itself. If your attitude is widespread, well, we might as well let the Chinese demand repayment of Bush's massive debt, take over this country and make us all obvious slaves. Because that belief proves that we're greedy, selfish children who are incapable of standing together as a nation and don't deserve to be one. Which, come to think of it, perfectly depicts Libertarianism.

I'm with Chicago Guy. I got the royal screw these last few years with my own business. But I'm happy if/when I know that money is going toward something or someone worthy. It's just so hard to follow that chain now.