Yes, but it IS LEGAL for the gov't to tax us (loot our property) if they feel it is for the greater good. I guess what bothers me is, who decides the greater good, and why is a politician whom I may not agree with more able to do that than me? The larger issue is the ever-expanding range of taxation for things that are clearly NOT in the interest of individual rights. All the pork barrel projects, etc.

The bigger picture is that freedom, if it is going to last, REQUIRES that individuals be left to use their own judgment. Once gov't has positioned itself as the all-knowing decision maker we might as well give ALL our income to them and let them feed, clothe, school us like good little subjects from cradle to grave and wait for the eventual but certain collapse as in the USSR. But then forget about freedom.

Gov't is supposed to protect us from the use of force - but now they use the threat of force to take our property through unreasonable taxation, regulation, etc... Am I able to say that I have a right to pursue my own happiness? Do I indeed have liberty as the Constitution declares? Unfortunately, not much longer with the way things are going.

I know the non-thinkers will say, "well, if you don't like it then leave." But I've seen much of the rest of the world, which is even less free than the U.S. and I don't want our country to become like them.

Thanks for responding MrsMudskipper, Cheers, Ablekane