That line of questioning frequently appears in these arguments. I find it disingenuous because if I did pay extra towards my federal taxes, I still (after rounding) have inherited the same amount of future obligation and I should expect, as taxes are invariably raised in the future, that I would be expected to pay towards that future obligation as well.
Arguing that we should all collectively pay more does not require one to individually contribute at that higher rate, nor does arguing that we (including the proponent) should collectively pay more ring near as hollow as arguing that those other people should pay more.
The other stupidity of that line is what difference will it make it I paid more tax voluntarily? Obviously bugger all. But should the middle/upper society all pay more it gives the govt significantly more resources to better society. Its a willingness for personal sacrifice for the greater good, not personal sacrifice for no good.
Can these people ever see tax as a value proposition? Wasted tax dollar are bad. But if you pay 5% more and get universal healthcare and get a liveable social security safety net that seems OK to me.
Further this attitude that its 'taking money I earnt' need to understand they are driving on roads that were built by generations ahead of them. Using sewers that their grandfathers laid, often on tax dollars. Benefiting from the political freedoms people literally fought and died for. Etc. If they want to claim the money earn is theirs the should go to someplace completely unoccupied and carve out an existence. See how much success they create truly on their own back. Maybe then they can understand we are all standing on the shoulders of those that came before us and that opportunity/system needs to be paid for and ideally continued to be improved upon.
>Arguing that we should all collectively pay more does not require one to individually contribute at that higher rate
It’s about sticking to your principals — if you disagree with the tax cut, the last thing you should do is benefit from it. Give the government the money you would’ve paid had there not been a tax cut. Doing otherwise gives you no right to complain about it.
Yes, it gives, because oneself decision to give back US$ 2k in a year to the government is peanuts, you don't impact anything, disagreeing on tax cuts in a societal level means more money is on the pot to be divided in projects that benefit the society.
You can't stand your ground on every issue that demands that a large part of society support it to work, that's not how it works. A lot of principles are only helpful if a larger part of society shares and act on them, individually they are useless.
Arguing that we should all collectively pay more does not require one to individually contribute at that higher rate, nor does arguing that we (including the proponent) should collectively pay more ring near as hollow as arguing that those other people should pay more.