However, I've talked with several intelligent, rational people who have said they'd be willing to pay higher taxes if it meant helping more people, and some of them are generally pretty conservative folks. There's a pretty big difference between those two positions, though, and I'd like to address why it's not a good idea to rely on government to 'help' people. I can think of three specific reasons.
First, it's the simple efficiency factor. We all know that anytime the government puts its collective hive mind to a task, it will be accomplished in twice the time and double the cost as the private sector. If you don't believe me, just look at the recent Cash for Clunkers program, where only 42% of the money allocated to dealers actually got there. That's right, the government sucked up 58% of these tax dollars in 'overhead'! If this wasn't the government, it would likely be prosecuted as a fraudulent organization and shut down. If you want your money to go toward helping people, just about anyone will do a better job of getting your dollars to the people who need them compared to the government.
Another reason is the question of accountability. Where are your tax dollars going? Do you have any idea which specific programs your tax dollars are funding? If you're a pro-lifer, do you want your tax dollars funding abortions? If you're an atheist, do you want your tax dollars funding faith-based initiatives? The government funds a vast array of programs, and no matter who you are or what beliefs you hold, many of them are probably violated by some government program. But once your tax dollars are taken out of your paycheck, you have no control over them anymore. And, let's be real...do you really think that most of the money that the government would use to 'help' people will actually get to people who need help? Not a chance. Much of it will actually end up greasing palms, buying silence or votes, or peddling influence for some politician's pet project.
Finally, we come to the biggest one, in my opinion. It is, quite simply, payback. Anytime the government 'helps' someone, it demands something in return. You know it's true. It happens all around you, all the time. "Want this grant? Well, you have to do A-B-C to get it." "Need that money for education or bills? Sure, just make sure you do X-Y-Z first. And be sure to vote [insert party here] next year." It's a natural inclination, I suppose, for people to want to give back to someone who helps them, but...do you trust the motivations of the government -- or the bureaucrats representing the government -- to be as clean and pure as the wind-driven snow? Sure, you might get lucky, but odds are you won't. And what about all those taxpayer dollars that the government first funnels through 'advocacy groups'? Does ACORN or Planned Parenthood ring a bell? These organizations are great examples of receiving tens of millions of dollars (or more) in federal payback for spending big bucks on campaign contributions, all the while conducting business that many Americans find reprehensible. Also, why do we see the real life version of you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours over and over again in Washington? Why do we continually see politicians from both parties involved in corruption scandals? Why do we see politicians ignoring their constituents in favor of a well-funded lobbyist group on key votes? Because of payback. It's how politics works. It's what your 'help' will get twisted into, if not for yourself, then for the person supposedly receiving the 'help'.
If you really want to 'help people' with your money, a far better solution is to use non-profit charities or private organizations created specifically to reach those who need assistance. Let's see how non-government groups address all three issues I've mentioned above.
Most charities do a great job of getting most of your donated money where it needs to go. There are also watchdog groups like Charity Navigator that monitor the amount of 'overhead' that gets taken out of donations, and rate them according to a number of factors. The key point is that you can pick the specific causes that you believe in and want to help, and you can pick the most efficient (i.e. 'helpful') organizations to do it. Your preferences and beliefs will be preserved, and your generosity will be much better utilized that way. And finally, charities ask for nothing in return. Their entire purpose is to provide aid with no strings attached. They do not exist to set up quid pro quos or paybacks, but simply to give.
So, if you're one of those people who think that paying higher taxes might not be such a bad thing if that extra money is used to 'help' people, I'd encourage you to re-evaluate your position. There are much better ways to help people and causes you believe in.
There's my two cents.
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