My dear brother-in-law has inspired me to elaborate on the efficacy of government. (more…)

Amid all of the noise about how terrible taxes are, I feel compelled to say something on the other side.  Maybe a lot.  Given that the major media organizations–even PBS–have so much about how people hate taxes, please, please, please, forward this to your friends.

I was looking through the policy briefs that Kelli Komro and her team of policy experts have compiled for our Promise Neighborhood Consortium.  Here are some of the things that empirical evidence shows will benefit the population: After school programs that include academic supports; Reduced classroom size in grades k through 3; Provision of nutritious food by schools; High quality childcare and preschools for young children; and Living wage ordinances.  Every one of these things, plus numerous programs and practices, would improve child and adolescent development, reduce crime, substance abuse, and depression; increase academic performance; and improve the productivity of the workforce.  All of them are lacking because there is no money to pay for them.

Higher taxes spent on these things would be of benefit not only to the direct beneficiaries of these policies and programs, but to entire communities. There would be fewer people breaking into our houses, more well-trained and conscientious employees to work in our companies, and fewer sick people.

As Wilkinson and Pickett’s book The Spirit Level documents, other nations which tax more heavily and spend the money on programs and policies of this sort have longer life expectancy, less crime, and less stress-related disease.

For the past forty years, a network of wealthy individuals and organizations has been promoting this anti-government, anti-tax philosophy and thanks to their domination of the media and public discussion, we have had low taxes and a deteriorating nation.  The most amazing thing about their advocacy is that they have millions of people who directly benefit from government and get no benefit out of our low-tax practices taking to the streets to support the very wealthy having fewer taxes.

So here I am in this little blog on a Friday afternoon, wishing that voices would be raised to tell the truth about how we need more taxes on those who have so much more that most.  (And I am one of them and happy to pay.)

So if you have read this, copy the URL and send it to other people.  Not just true believers, but your Aunt in Missouri who watches nothing but Fox.  If enough voices are raised, we could influence the direction of the country.

More taxes for those who have so much!