For the People

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I'm sure that we all (except for the really radical loonies) can agree that government services are essential. We need an army. We need someone to build our roads, teach our children, and house our criminals. We need police and fire protection, parks and recreation, health and human resources, building and safety regulators, courts and coroners.

But the question is always - But to what extent and how do we pay for it?

It has long been that everyone pays for it all through taxes, although some pay more than others. And that seems fair when we know that we all benefit from services like the military and prisons. But everyone pays for roads even if they don't drive. Everyone pays a share for education even if they neither attend school, nor have children that do. We pay for police and fire protection even though we've never called the cops or had our house burn. We pay for search and rescue even though we never got lost.

What about Usage Fees? Are they more fair? In other words, if you drive a car, perhaps the costs of building and maintain roads should be funded through increased DMV fees or gasoline taxes while reducing State and Federal taxes. If you cause someone to call the cops, you get billed. If you use the court system, you pay. If you like to camp, pay a camping fee. If you drive the freeway, pay at a toll booth. Go to college, pay up. A rescue at sea by the Coast Guard, you foot the bill.

Why not? Going to the movies is not subsidised by the tax payers, so why should your cost of other personal activity be? Take the poll on the left. It is paid for by me.
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