A simple definition

Whenever conservatives/Republicans want to shut down or prevent a program they don't like, they trot out the usual boogeyman that they've spent decades creating:  TAXES! Just saying the word is meant to invoke such fear that the program is almost instantly rendered politically toxic.

This scare tactic is why we can't have nice things. For those with the fear, everything is too expensive except endless wars, new weapons we don't need, and tax cuts for rich people, which, in turn, makes other programs even less affordable. Trump is running almost a trillion dollar deficit this year because of the tax cuts for the rich. This is by design.

So, the next time you hear someone trot out this boogeyman, remember this simple definition.

Taxes are the price we pay for civilization.

That's it. Without taxes, we don't have roads, airports, hospitals, utilities, laws, police, firemen, regulations to keep people safe, weather reporting, defense, national parks, a space program, consumer protection, and many more things that make modern life livable and more enjoyable. Nobody is dying to pay taxes and we all want them to be as low as practical. Frankly, I don't want anyone paying taxes who can't afford to do so. (That's another favorite Republican gambit. The Poors have to pay taxes so they'll have "skin in the game".)  But when we give huge tax cuts to those who don't need them, we all suffer. Our civilization suffers.

Let's work on rehabilitating the word taxes so it's not used to prop up the rich and played against a compassionate, effective and just society.