There is a very insidious problem in wealthy nations regarding how their tax dollars are used. I have always got the sense that the wealthy believe they are "paying their fair share" by paying their taxes. Its like, I've done my part for those with disabilities, victims of abuse, and the poor. The state takes care of them or they just need more money to do so. Many ignore that fact that just like everything else the state does, it SUCKs at helping those that need it most. From where I sit, the state has made things worse, not better for those in need.

If we had a society where tax was voluntary the state would be forced to compete with charities that were led by people driven by the desire to help people. If you operate a charity in the US you have to raise funds. There are crooked charities but when they are exposed the fail or at least they feel the pain of losing funds. The state doesn't have this signal. When is the last time a government program was actually shut down 100%? I can't think of one. I mean they aren't even cut. At the most they cut the rate of increase in budget year over year. Instead of a 10% increase they get a 8% increase. And politicians call that a cut.

The truth is, the state uses force to monopolize certain function that the private sector would do a far better job with. I am not saying that the state doesn't help some people. I know people that have been helped by gov programs. What I am saying is that on the whole the state kills and destroys far more than it builds up. The people, (private citizens) would and have done a far better job helping people than the state.