[friedman23]

Maybe you are right but I cannot understand or agree with this idea that has taken hold among some on the internet that we should be happy to pay taxes because the government will go and solve problems with that money. Beyond the fact that the government is horrible at allocating resources and using them efficiently, every tax is a dollar being taken from the economy that could have gone to people that produce things of value not what some bureaucrat decided was of value.

[pjmorris]

Three arguments in favor of governments and taxes: 1) Taxes are what makes a currency valuable (if you don't believe me, try printing your own money, or using Monopoly money, to pay for something) 2) Governments provide currency (also, see above). Look for the lowest interest rates on financial instruments, and you'll find governments. 3) Governments enforce property rights.

No taxes, no currency, no economy to speak of (see: anywhere without a functioning government).

I don't get how some on the internet live and breathe in a government-sponsored property and currency regime and rail against the government part of it, but want to keep the property and currency.

[maxerickson]

every tax is a dollar being taken from the economy

Government turns around and spends those dollars in the economy. They are reallocated, not removed.

[friedman23]

Individuals are significantly better at allocating resources than a central authority.