Taxes too high or is Trust in Government too low?

When it comes to taxes there are two things that will always be constant. The only fair tax is one that someone else pays and no matter what the tax rate is or how frugal government is taxes will always be too high. Those people who know me understand I am not a big government kind of guy. I believe that Government should only be as large as is needed to get the job done. I also do not believe that government always needs to provide all of the services it does, at least not by itself.


There are certain important functions in all levels of government. On the Federal Side there is of course the Military Defense and Homeland Security of our Nation. I do believe that Congress should pass laws based on the Constitution of the United States and work for the common good. I believe that at the Federal level issues like foreign trade, an Interstate Highway system and ensuring that everyone has access to the tools to make them successful.

At the State level, economic development, protection of the environment (laws can be federal, enforcement needs to be in touch with the local area) and issues of common good for the citizens of a state. I believe that the power of government does and should rest in the local government role. Local governments are the service providers. They see firsthand how the application of laws effect the citizens. They see firsthand the needs of their community and how best to meet those needs.

Now this gets to my second point in this matter, how those services are provided. 200 years ago communities had to be self sufficient. If someone got sick, some of those person’s duties were picked up by other community members and that persons needs were met, often by the Church. People who were refused to carry their weight were often made outcast or suffered the consequences of their actions. It was not perfect, but it did work. As government stepped into the fray, providing services for the sick and infirm it took the burden off of communities, however the way the government’s services were provided often left much to be desired. Attempts to reform this part of the system has been partially responsible for where we are at today.

I once read that government typically looks at a community backwards. They look at it as a glass half empty and then design government programs to fill that glass. This is typical of how many of the services that I agree we need are currently provided by government. Instead if government looks at a community as a glass half full. Looks for and develops the resources all ready in that community that glass can fill itself. It also helps build a stronger community by empowerment of community and promoting more self reliance. This is the model of government that we need to promote in our society.

Now I know that community cannot meet all needs. I know that for some groups, some individuals that government assistance will always be needed. I do not have a problem with providing those services. I also do not have a problem with government making strategic investments that can pay off increased benefits in the future. I support making investments in the critical infrastructure that makes our nation strong. Education and training programs so our workforce is always able to compete on a global scale. I support making investments in communication and power generation, not only so our economy can benefit from efficient power and communication but so we are constantly looking to make our systems even better. Government should make Investments in roads and other critical infrastructure that can attract new businesses and build stronger local economies.

We need to build our communities up by empowering citizens to take an active role in their own governance. Although sometimes government needs to provide some guidance, pushing for more citizen involvement at least allows those citizens to see from the inside how government functions. I believe that our real problem is not really that people think their taxes are too high. I think the problem is they believe their trust in government is too low. That is the first issue we need to address as government. And that is true at all levels.