Obdicut, I don’t get to come here very often but you are absolutely one of the commentators on this blog I look for.

Great piece. I find myself struggling with balance. How much do we tax, what do we tax and how do we disperse those tax dollars to everyone’s benefit?

I feel some on the extremes, on both sides, are so stuck on ideology or being ideologically pure, that it is either hate and tax the rich at unbelievable rates and pure hatred of capitalism, or no taxes, no help for anyone corporations are people too libertarianism.

How do we get away from this polarization? What is the right balance? I believe that all should pay a part and that it behooves those who have succeeded to help those who have not for a few reasons:
1. We need to be civilized. Who wants to live in a country where some sip wine at every meal, and some have no meals at all?
2. Education - who wants to live in a country where many cannot read or write and therefore have no chance to succeed?
3. Healthcare - my wife and I pay out of pocket for my mother-in-law’s medications. Why? Well, how can I or my wife be happy when someone in our family is suffering and cannot afford what they need? And by extension, aren’t we all Americans - and therefore family?

There are many more reasons of course - but again, the main question to me is balance. What tax rates are truly fair and reasonable? How can we hold the government truly accountable for being wise stewards of our tax money?

Again, thank you for this piece.