Although the United States Constitution was established to create a “more perfect union” of “We the People,” some citizens seem to prefer “privatization” by for-profit businesses to the government the Constitution creates, and act as if government and taxes constitute evil and theft respectively. While “Support the Troops” bumper stickers seem popular, the taxes supporting our armed forces, nation, states and communities, clearly are not. Some opponents, such as Americans for Tax Reform's Grover (“I'm not totally against government, I just want to shrink it down small enough that I can strangle it in a tub”) Norquist, appear uniquely unconcerned about the result of their opposition to taxation upon the nation they claim to support.

Simple morality requires helping and sharing with others. Furthermore, most religions advocate “alms,” and since primary deity figures appear to directly instruct followers to pay taxes in Abrahamic belief systems like Christianity and Islam, it seems odd that believers are not as insistent about paying taxes as they are about other things, like not selling cars on Sunday. Are modern taxes so different that believers must reject divine teachings or commit questionable evasions? Are taxes such a threat to national security that we must fund common defense and general welfare with credit rather than pay them?

Consider Townburg, populated by 7,000 people who, due to growing population, need $100,000 for an [insert public asset(s) here]. Other possibilities exhausted, Townburg's leaders ask 5000 taxpayers for $20.00 over one year (about $1.66 a month, $0.38 per week, or $.05 a day).

If the Townburgers are to experience theft, their representatives must collect the $100,000, not provide the [insert public asset(s) here] (or anything else) and run off with the money. However, if the revenue is spent as promised, within one year each Townburger gains access to $100,000 in shared public assets. Other probable results of their investment include longer life (for public health assets) improved property values (infrastructure), lower insurance rates (police and fire) and economic stimulus (project spending, employees etc.). Although implementation of the tax might evoke disagreement, resentfulness and unhappiness among citizens supporting, opposing, unable to pay the tax comfortably etc., this level of return on investment appears remarkable, widely beneficial – and quite different from “theft.”

Dishonesty, incompetence, inefficiency, waste and theft happens (even in the private sector), so tax funded government provides citizens with recourse in the the criminal and civil courts (where punishment is often more severe for those in positions of responsibility). Furthermore, for elected perpetrators, citizens unsuccessful in the courts can still “throw the bums out.” Try that if your for-profit health care insurer denies care.

Although our nation is deeply in debt, waging at least three wars (Afghanistan, Iraq, “on drugs” etc.) and faces serious economic, environmental, and public health crises, many Americans appear deeply resentful about taxation. A late 60's “establishment” bumper sticker read, “Proud US Taxpayer.” While such pride may be long gone, it may soon become essential that more of us, perhaps even churches and non-profits, again support our nation, states, communities, and especially each other with our tax dollars.