Taxes in the US right now are a joke. Also the fact that people believe we can go on without raises taxes (even on a general level, not just for one bracket) scares me. I can't comprehend how that thought process even works.
The people that don't advocate raises in taxes typically advocate reductions in spending. I don't think it's all that incomprehensible.
I really don't care how other countries tax their citizens. If they tax higher than us, it's damnation for their citizens, whether they know it or not. I only care about taxation in my country. And in my country, taxes need to be cut 70%. Roads are good. Post offices are fine. Lots of neat weapons so we can destroy the world a few thousand times is good. Court system to adjudicate disputes and prosecute criminals? I'm good with that.
What needs to be done away with?
1) All redistribution
No person has a right to the property of another without his consent.
2) All entitlements
No person has a right to the property of another without his consent.
3) All medical care
Medical care is a service. No need for government involvement.
4) All programs for the "poor"
Poverty is an individual problem. Poor people who cannot or will not act to mitigate their poverty can ask others for help, seek charity through religious institutions, or die.
5) All cultural and related programs (NEA? Gone.)
Cultural programs are PURE theft.
6) All space and science programs (publicly funded NASA? Gone.)
Yes, I love space exploration and scientific research as much as the next guy. When it is funded by private institutions. It's immoral to tax citizens into poverty to pay for a space program or the NSF.
7) Social security? Gone.
Individuals are responsible for saving for their old age. Those that don't can seek help from others, charities, or die.
8) Foreign aid to "developing" countries? Gone.
It is ludicrous to piss away money by transferring our hard earned wealth to two-bit "impoverished" countries who refuse to institute freedom and capitalism (which would solve every problem of every "developing" country.)
9) Publicly funded environmentalists and all others of their ilk? Gone.
Environmentalists can do their studies using their own money. Then pay for media time to persuade us as to whether we are behaving responsibly. In short, they cannot coerce anyone, they can use rational persuasion to cause others to behave in an environmentally responsible manner.
10) Roads, bridges, tunnels, sidewalks, infrastructure, national parks? I'll allow it. Certain edifices legitimately serve the public good and are not in anyone's individual interest to create. But we must be very strict in defining these. They should be minimal.
11) Public education? Gone.
Educating children is the responsibility of individual parents. No one has a right to have children. It is a choice. A choice which needs to be made at the right time when there is sufficent money and time to do the job correctly.
Get the picture? We need more freedom and individual initiative. That is what drives the country, nothing else. But aside from what works, we need to consider morality in all decisions of this type. And it is essentially immoral to take from one person for the unearned and undeserved benefit of another. So all public policy making must recognize that essential rule and not violate it.