Why is it that people who have more money than they ever be able to spend

[loudnclear]

bitch and complain about paying taxes to the government when those taxes actually help the country maintain one of the higest living standards in the world. These people complain about paying taxes BECAUSE the money will go to help the poor, homeless, elderly, mentally ill, drug diseased, and otherwise downtrodden. The very same people will spend twice as much as their actual taxes (if paid)for campaign contributions and lobbying bribes to Congresspeople who will vote to cut taxes. They scoff at the poor (most of them believe in their minds that they have actually worked and earned their money) working people, who ask for help when unemployed, criticize teachers who don't earn income equal to their dividends. People like Rush and Hannity who criminalize poverty even get the dittoheads who would benefit or who are benefitting from taxes to believe that they would be better off without having wealthy people pay taxes. Rush and Hannity, whose disappearance fromt he earth would not keep one road from being paved, one bridge from being built, or one child from being educated. It is truly amazing what people can be led to believe when you appeal to their innermost predjuices.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Why?

Because they are greedy ninnies, that's why.

For reference, see the Monty Python Twit Skit. Pretty much sums them up.

[Kamika]

2. Ill tell you why

Because when you see the politicians wasting away the taxes on stupid stuff you dont get encouraged to pay them.

[alwynsw]

5. Agree completely

(see post below)

[grannylib]

3. because they are looking at the wrong side of their balance sheet

They care not for what they have left after taxes, only what the government is 'taking' from them.
Well, let's see here.
Roads? Schools? Military preparedness? Running the country in general?
How the hell do they think all that get's paid for? OTHER people's taxes?

[alwynsw]

4. Don't paint us all with that brush

Griping about taxes is essentially the same as GI's griping about the military. We like to gripe about it, but just like most folks, we pony up every time the bill comes due. I liken it to complaining about the weather guy when it rains.

I don't begrudge any of the taxes I pay, except of course for that portion that goes into the bureaucratic maw of the various local, state, and Federal agencies.

That governmental agencies are, on the whole, inherently inept in monetary affairs needs no discussion. That, my friend, is how we get $500.00 toilet seats for the military and $300.00 keyboards for computers. I'll not even address the fact that for every dollar that is spent on social programs, nearly three are spent on average in administrative costs.

I like social programs. I like our roads, parks, and even our military. I abhor the administrative and nepotistic waste in those programs. Some spending is simply outrageous.

I would like to see ALL of my tax dollars put to good use. Some admistrative expenses are necessary. Lumbering beaucratic juggernauts and favoritism in purchasing are not effective use of our dollars.

One last thought: yup, I was incensed to see that $175,000.00 was given in a grant for the performance art of one man carving another's buttocks with an exacto knife. Hardly art. Definite waste. (Just one example of wasting dollars.)

[loudnclear]

6. Government agencies?

Those $500 toilet seats were purchased because of a "political apointee's" decision to fatten his buddies pockets through government contracts. Public servants always take the brunt of the criticism for policies, regulations, de-regulations, decisions made by political appointees who stay in service only long enough to get their contracts and contacts on track. The general public is so ignorant about how their Federal beauracy works.

[alwynsw]

7. Note this line from my previous post

next to last paragraph:

Lumbering beaucratic juggernauts and favoritism in purchasing are not effective use of our dollars.

Perhaps I should have been clearere on the favoritism/cronyism issue.

[Shanty Oilish]

8. Been there didn't do that

Back when I had "more than I'd ever be able to spend" I gave it away constantly. Currently I have what I WOULD be able to spend on myself without much effort, and I still don't do that.
I think the attitude you describe mostly applies to people who are bitter about having struggled for it, and moreover, bitter about their fellow man. They'd be that way even without the money, it just makes it more obvious and ironic.