Need a Receipt On Taxes? The Federal Tax Receipt

ndogg writes "The White House has opened up a tool that lets you see where your tax dollars are being spent. I put my numbers in and it showed that a little over a quarter goes towards defense and military spending (I'm not sure I'm getting my money's worth on that one), and a little under a quarter for health care." I'm sure readers (and think tanks of various stripes) will have some alternative narratives, too. For readers elsewhere; it's tax season here in the US.

Comments

Re:"Alternative Narratives"?

[nomadic]

The Constitution allows Congress to spend money to provide for the general welfare of the United States; the health care insurance mandate is arguably unconstitutional, but the other things you mentioned are allowed.

Re:"War on Drugs"

[gambino21]

The death and taxes site has a much better breakdown of how the money is spent, IMO. You can find the Drug Enforcement Agent (under the department of Justice) spends about 2 billion per year.

Re:Not getting money's worth on defense spending?

[Jane Q. Public]

No, it was crafted by what were -- on this particular matter -- a very clear majority, and Hamilton was virtually off by himself in a corner.

You would know that, if you had actually read your history.

Re:I like paying taxes

[jcwayne]

While I don't take any issue with fire service being provided by governments, I do have to disagree with your reasoning as to why a private system can't work. I believe it would be a fairly simple matter to handle via insurance. Try to get a mortgage without having fire insurance (usually as part of a larger package), it can't be done. Insurance providers base these rates on, among other things, the likelihood that your house will burn to the ground. I you don't have fire service, your insurance rate will be astronomical. How you actually buy fire service may vary, in some cases it may be bundled with insurance, or maybe it will be paid for by the bank (in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate).

As for mandated anything being equivalent to a government program to provide the same service, it is not. Whenever a government provides a service, it becomes a monopoly in that area. A monopoly with the power to put you in jail if you refuse to pay for their service and to prevent you from offering a competing service.