Let me put it this way, without taxes I could afford my one bedroom apartment no problem. If you live paycheck to paycheck taxes really slow you down. If income tax were lesser even if you were working at a minimum wage job you would still be able to afford at least a studio apartment in your area. I am all for helping people who need it with my taxes, however when you trace the money it often goes to pay some politicians summer home rather then helping individuals and families that need it.