2/ The idea that our taxes pay for stuff* is a really insidious and evil idea, especially for traditionally disadvantaged populations.
*We're only talking about the federal level here. Taxes definitely pay for stuff at the state and local levels.
*We're only talking about the federal level here. Taxes definitely pay for stuff at the state and local levels.
2/ They don't need your taxes to pay for stuff. They gave it to you in the first place! Why would they need it?
They need *you* to need *their* money, and they do this by imposing taxes.
They need *you* to need *their* money, and they do this by imposing taxes.
3/ Why? So you do stuff that society needs doing.
Examples: Soldier, postal worker, judge, teacher, etc.
We also need to do the things THOSE workers need. Such as hotel room cleaner, grocery store cashier, barber, gas station attendant, waitress, etc.
Examples: Soldier, postal worker, judge, teacher, etc.
We also need to do the things THOSE workers need. Such as hotel room cleaner, grocery store cashier, barber, gas station attendant, waitress, etc.
4/ Another example: Let's say Medicare For All becomes law, & pretend it mandates new wings to be built onto hospitals across the country. The wings must be built (requires labor & materials) & once opened, must be operated (labor, equipment, medicine).
5/ "What did the government give me for my taxes?" The question actually doesn't make sense. The federal government doesn't use tax revenue to pay for anything it does. In fact, it can't. Because it's not possible. It never has been.
6/ The *only* way the federal government spends – the only way it *can* spend – is by issuing new currency. This is the way it's always been, despite what we've all been taught to believe.
7/ The money the federal government spends is not the money from any individual (never has been and cannot be). It is *our* money. *All* our money. As a collective.
It's **public money**, not tax money.
It's **public money**, not tax money.
8/ We don't get things from the government because we pay taxes. That implies the poor should get less and the rich should get more. That in turn implies that everyone has an equal opportunity to obtain wealth and income, and we ALL know that's not the case. 
9/ "What does the gov't give me for my taxes?"
We're not customers and the government isn't some kind of store. We're **human beings** and our gov't's job is to provide basic needs so we suffer as little as possible. The question must instead be "What do we demand of our gov't?"
We're not customers and the government isn't some kind of store. We're **human beings** and our gov't's job is to provide basic needs so we suffer as little as possible. The question must instead be "What do we demand of our gov't?"
10/ What do we *choose* our government and society to be? What do we need to not suffer? What does the federal government clearly have the ability to provide, without causing economic problems? (And without needing a dollar of tax revenue from the rich, us, or anyone else.)
11/ Here's a good start. (All the policies proposed by Bernie Sanders. All easily doable, none [need to] require a single tax dollar from us, the rich, or anyone else.) berniesanders.com/issues/
12/ We must provide healthcare for all.
We must provide education for all.
We must save all from climate change.
We must. What other choice is there?
We must provide education for all.
We must save all from climate change.
We must. What other choice is there?
13/13 The only way to really change things is not with better answers, but better questions.
If you'd like to learn more, here's a good place to start. Lots of expert-created sources, layperson tutorials, and reliable people to follow. Best of luck.
If you'd like to learn more, here's a good place to start. Lots of expert-created sources, layperson tutorials, and reliable people to follow. Best of luck.
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