Help me out DUers -- talk to me about taxes...

[Hell Hath No Fury]

I am working on a piece about the importance of taxes to a prosperous, vibrant, 1st world country and want to gather a list of all the good things taxes (federal.state/local) do for us as individuals and as a society.

I am thinking of things along these lines:

Higher education
Parks
Hospitals
Roads/streets/bridges
Art
Scientific advancement
Medical research
Emergemcies such as the Gulf


I look forward to your imput!
Hell

[EOTE]

1. If you'd like to appeal to republicans, be sure to mention the military.

After all, that's where the bulk of our dollars go. All the other things you've mentioned have to fight for their own piece of the pie. Amazing how much has been accomplished in spite of that. Especially with regard to scientific/medical research.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. I want to show everyone --

be it Dem, GOPer, Indie -- just what good we get through our taxes. I think the military is a good example to appeal to GOPers, but, as a liberal, I also am a strong supporter of funding for vets benefits, an issue most American can get behind.

I have really been thinking about how we are on target for a massive slide in quality of life because of a resistance from certain Americans to paying/raising taxes.

Oooo, just though about some others: safey! Safe cars, water, skies, products, food, etc.

[PBS Poll-435]

2. Safety

Security
Public Welfare (Housing, Healthcare, Job Training)

[bluethruandthru]

3. police, fire, libraries, safe food supply, safe water supply,

safe drugs, safety of consumers products.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

9. Made me thin of another --

Justice! Our legal system is funding with public dollars.

[DURHAM D]

4. The basics that a well functioning government should provide -

clean air
clean water
disposal of waste
safe food
public education
safe air travel
safe automobiles
public transportation

We are failing at some of the above.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. Failing miserably.

:( Thanks for those!

[Gormy Cuss]

6. Education at all levels, not just higher ed.

Tax dollars are used for education/learning readiness activities beginning with Head Start.
Defense should be on the list too.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

8. True, all levels.

Thanks! :hi:

[Catherina]

10. Rec'd but still 0. Strange. n/t

[damntexdem]

11. Others:

public health;
protection (not just police but things like Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services);
social services;
community-based health;
health coverage (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, VA, CHAMPUS);
K-12 education;
cultural advancement of all types;
transportation safety;
intervention in the economy;
judicial services;

and so on

And recs up to 1 now.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

14. "intervention in the economy;"

Oh yeah, almost forgot about that one! :D

[SDuderstadt]

12. Hey, I got an uncle that lives in

Texas!

No, not Texas! Taxes! You know, dollars!

That's where he lives! Dallas, Texas!

Sorry, I'm a huge Marx brothers fan. I'll try to behave myself from here on out.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

15. You so silly!

:spank: :D

[LawnKorn]

13. Taxes provide seed money for beneficial projects

Taxes take a small sum from each person and make a collective investment in projects for the benefit of all. Only the Government can afford to start long term projects that have a low initial rate of return, but big pay offs in the end.

What we need currently is a long term investment in clean, renewable energy. No corporation will make big investments in projects that will not show a positive return for 10 to 20 years, but that is what is needed to replace dirty fossil fuels.

It will be to the advantage of every American to make transition to clean energy, end our dependence on dirty fossil fuels, and put America on a path toward economic recovery. Ending our reliance on dirty fossil fuels will create tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs that can’t be shipped overseas.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

16. Good one!

I hadn't really thought about it that way. :hi:

[theothersnippywshrub]

20. Except for highways, railroads, electrical power, the electric grid, nuclear power,

nuclear medicine, jet planes, many pharmaceuticals, computers, lap top computers, the internet and GPS, I can think of only 40 or 50 things the government has provided the seed money for.

[Dark]

17. The internet. Air conditioning. Safe food, water and air. social security. medicare.

the list goes on and on.

[WillyT]

18. Isn't That A Salt 'N' Pepa Song ???

Oh... TAX...

Nevermind.

:hide::evilgrin::hide:

:bounce:

:hi:

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

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[theothersnippywshrub]

21. The government invests for the good of the country. That objective is anti-thetical to you and

your ilk. The government invested to create the internet you are using and the device you are using to access it. The government also pays for your family's welfare benefits.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[theothersnippywshrub]

27. I've tea bagged a couple of well known republicans. Maybe you, who knows. The internet is

relatively anonymous.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

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[theothersnippywshrub]

29. I dislike republican welfare queens. Like you and your ilk. n/t

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

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[Obamanaut]

31. self delete - it's gone nt

[baldguy]

26. There's no reason why individuals making less than $60k/yr should pay fed ncome tax.

Or couples making $120k/yr.