The “Want Everything, Pay Nothing” Problem

[WatChe]

People just want more services, but not higher taxes or less help. Politicians promise both, and then just borrow more. In my own life, I benefit from this too: cheaper healthcare, more support, but I know someone will pay for this later. Maybe our children

Taxes make sense in developed countries where people pay taxes and in return they get facilities like good healthcare, infrastructure, education etc. But in underdeveloped countries despite paying heavy amount in tax the government never gives adequate facilities in return. If I talk about myself, my two months salary is deducted as tax but I have to go to private hospital for good healthcare and my kids also study in private schools. The point is I pay major portion of my earning as tax but I am not getting anything in return that's why people specially in underdeveloped countries look for ways to bypass tax payments.   

[Abiky]

I agree with others. Taxes are not the problem, it's about nations not using it properly. Look at USA for example, so much in debt, and spending so much, but the nation still sucks. No free healthcare, terrible schools all around, homeless people, and even fires are not put out in time because firefighters are severely understaffed and undermachined. So as you can see, I named just a few examples, it can do a lot more, but in the end, we know that it is not really being used properly.

If my tax goes to some NGO in some foreign nation instead of helping my own nation get better, then why would I want to pay taxes? If I lived in Finland, I would be fine with paying that much, it is definitely not going to be a problem for me.

Corrupt politicians are the real problem. Especially within leftist and developing countries. They spend taxes on luxuries for their own personal benefit. Not for essential things such as healthcare and education. Many people have noticed such abuse, and have decided not to pay a single cent. Young generations usually want everything at hand with little or no effort.

If this keeps up, governments won't have the required funding to help sustain their operations. This will force them to borrow more money, resulting in higher debt over the long term. In some sense, this is good because corrupt politicians won't be able to keep up with their schemes. But it's bad in the sense that people won't be able to enjoy public services like they've used to. Maybe higher tariffs and AI will solve the problem? Only time will tell...

[WhoYouCantKill]

This question is hard but the right kind, it is one that runs across politics and moves straight to the center of how modern economies are running.

The truth is: we have been caught in a loop. We hope for firm public services, financial safety nets, and economic support during hard times, yet we frown at the idea of taxation. Politicians rather than being truthful with the trade-offs, often give the mirage that we can get both: more help lower costs. In other to get on with that, they end up borrowing a lot.

Like you mentioned, nations like the US, Japan, and the UK are into debt deeply, owing something more than their yearly income, interest rates very massive with so much debts soon to come, any increase in rates could force things into crisis, this isn't mere theory but fundamental math.

You are equally correct about generational fairness. Lots of borrowing now is just one way of pushing the cost to the future, spending tomorrow money today, yes comfortable today but with lots of pressure for the next generation, who definitely might be dealing with higher taxes, with weaker services and possible financial crunch.
Of course this is not fair but it is more human. Unless voters not just leaders are ready to confront the hard-offs this is likely to continue.
Admitting the problem as you just did is a step lots of people would avoid. Even though there isn't a perfect answer.

[justdimin]

We all aware of the global economic crisis the government of different countries are battling with to ensure a no collapse of itself. But we also have to consider one thing about behind the  “Want Everything, Pay Nothing” Problem as your title gives, which is found within all citizens of every country on their governments. The cause of this is not far from that fact that the government is believed to be in control of the resources of the country and the citizens expects they get some benefits in that through building of infrastructures, schools, hospitals , and provision of other social care services. It's an obligation on the part of the government to the citizens in as much as they remain as authority over every resources in the country.

I would say that it's clear, we do not want to pay high taxes, because of how the taxes are used right now, and that is why it makes no sense for us to pay high taxes right now, even any taxes at all. But, if I paid taxes and I saw it used efficiently and actually goes to make the nation better, then of course I would love to pay high taxes.

I am willing to pay 90% taxes even! if that meant I do not need to pay anything else aside from my luxury, the point isn't about paying or not paying taxes, it's about what happens with those taxes. Finland has one of the highest amount of taxes in the world, but I do not see finish people complaining everywhere, why? Because they know that while they are charged so much, they are also using that taxes are awesome.

[Scarlett_23]

If the government collects taxes from the people and uses that money properly, then the people's tax will be worthwhile. But if the government is corrupt, then development is never possible even after collecting taxes. However, apart from taxes, the government has many sources of income.

For example, natural resources, tourism sector, large government-owned companies, etc. If the government of any country wants to combine everything to develop the country's socio-economic development, then it is possible to implement it.

For this, only the right leadership of the government, the honesty of its leaders and workers around it, proper planning and working according to the plan are required.

By following these things, any country can become a role model for development.

[Jatiluhung]

I would never object to the government raising taxes to a higher level. This is provided there is no corruption. All tax revenue must be reinvested in national development and the welfare of its citizens. However, if taxes continue to be raised and corruption increases, it will only lead to a country's eventual bankruptcy, especially in countries with abundant natural resources. I don't even understand why taxes should be continuously raised when the country already generates significant revenue from all its natural resources. I think this is simply a matter of greed, with no regard for the country's future. There are people who operate solely for their own interests, without regard for the country's future progress. They only seek to gain as much as possible and will likely leave once the country is no longer able to repay its debts, leaving its citizens to suffer the consequences.

[Btcdeybodi]

What you should ask yourself is that, are things getting better even with the debt that your country is taking in order to keep the country going. Even if all the citizens pay high tax, will inflation stop. If it wouldn't, but keep on increasing overtime, there is no need to pay higher tax because when inflation hits, you will barely survive with your monthly income. The whole system is fucked up with printing more money and mismanagement of public funds.

How can citizens even pay high taxes when the masses are poor and do not have jobs. Even with the little taxes that people are paying yet the government doesn't make judicious use of it, all they know is enriching themselves and their loyalists and not channeling this funds to the right places. The government is so greedy and instead of building sustainable infrastructures and industries that will generate revenues, they will instead value to lavish money on things that does not make any sense. They keep lying to the people about how they spent those money and enter into borrowing money which has aided in crippling the economy of many countries because they can't do without borrowing money. The government really needs to wake up and find a solution to this incessant borrowing of money and running into heavy debts.

[Synchronice]

I wonder if we are all trapped in the same game. We want more help from our governments, but we do not want to pay higher taxes. We want good schools, healthcare, safe streets, but also lower bills. I am just as guilty. I like cheap services and extra support too. Who doesn't?

Not really, I just want to pay low taxes and manage my future instead of government charging me high taxes and managing it for me. For example, I don't want to pay for pension, I want to keep that money for myself to either enjoy the time or invest in what I believe is a good investment choice.

People just want more services, but not higher taxes or less help. Politicians promise both, and then just borrow more. In my own life, I benefit from this too: cheaper healthcare, more support, but I know someone will pay for this later. Maybe our children

Not your children, we are all still very young for paying the debt. We pay it even these days. Look at inflation, every $1000 you save, is worth $900 in the next year, $750 in two years and so on. We work and pay taxes, we boy products with our taxed money and on top of that, this product is also taxed too, then we pay for the inflation and so on.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Apart from tax payers money is there no other ways government generate revenue?

Sure, but I'm at least 90% sure--I'm no economist, so keep that in mind--that even if the US had abundant natural resources that it could export, that still wouldn't cover the debt that it owes.  I could be wrong, but somehow I doubt it.  And taxpayer revenue?  So many people I know can't even get menial jobs right now, so raising taxes in the face of a lousy job market isn't a great long-term strategy.

It is ugly times ugly here in the states.

[alegotardo]

This is exactly the point that many people don't want to face: the conflict between what we want as citizens and what we accept to obtain those things... This equation of wanting services from rich countries with taxes from poor countries will never be balanced (in fact, here in Brazil we pay dearly for almost nothing) and these governments solution is precisely this: pushing the problem further down the road through debt.

This works well, but only as long as the economy grows and creditors trust that the debt will actually be paid... but it only takes a trust problem for this to quickly become unsustainable.

I think the problem is building confidence in the population that it's better to give up certain benefits for a healthier financial future... showing that each extra tax or specific benefit cut has a clear purpose for a country's sustainability. But obviously... this only works if there's no corruption.

[Hewlet]

Is it fair to leave this bill to our kids, just so we can have comfort now? I do not have a perfect answer

this sort of asmption does not reflect what is really the case with our present day tax system and the core reason why people sometimes refuse to pay taxes. we all know that part of the issue weare facing now is a negligence of our parents in setting the right foundation for us and that alone is enough reason why we should make it a priority to ensue that our chilkdren that arecoming behind does not suffer the same thing we are currently suffering. but that being said, is there legit accounabillity on the side of the governement on what they are doing with tax payers money? that is the firs tissue that discourages people from responding to the plea of paying taxes because after you have even paid the tax, you dont see how it is even being used.

the VAT that are added to the goods people buy, are they not taxes? what of the compolsary taxes on every transaction we carry out? at the end, we are doing more as citizens while the governemnt at there end are doing very little and that is the cause of the imballance that has resulted in their consistent borrowing. apart from the issue of taxation, there inabillity to effectively manage a nations natural resource is what always land them in borrowing if not, we have enough resource that can carter for most of our needs such that we do not have to go out for borrowing.

[Stavri]

You're right, and what you’re talking about is something that developed countries can actually fix.
But in my country, for example, this isn’t the problem.
Here government doesnt do anything to make our lives easier but still they are in high dept.
The only thing they do is increasing the taxes and pushing the citizens to pay more taxes.
And now our children and even grandchildren already have a huge amount of debt.

[Abiky]

You're right, and what you’re talking about is something that developed countries can actually fix.
But in my country, for example, this isn’t the problem.
Here government doesnt do anything to make our lives easier but still they are in high dept.
The only thing they do is increasing the taxes and pushing the citizens to pay more taxes.
And now our children and even grandchildren already have a huge amount of debt.

Huge taxes will always be a problem. Especially when governments tend to overspend public funds. It's one of the main reason why most people want everything for "free" without doing absolutely nothing. The trend is accelerating as we speak. Young generations prefer convenience above all else. So they will choose more time to live, and less time to work.

With emerging technologies such as AI, Quantum Computing, and Robotics, who's going to work anymore? AI will replace almost every human job you can imagine. One day, you will be sitting in your couch doing nothing and getting paid in return (aka Universal Basic Income). We will completely depend on the government to survive. At least, that's how I see the future unfolding. And the national debt? We might as well forget about it. It will continue to rise forever. I mean, that's how central banks manipulate the economy. It's why many call Fiat a "Ponzi scheme". But that's another subject.

[traderethereum]

You're right, and what you’re talking about is something that developed countries can actually fix.
But in my country, for example, this isn’t the problem.
Here government doesnt do anything to make our lives easier but still they are in high dept.
The only thing they do is increasing the taxes and pushing the citizens to pay more taxes.
And now our children and even grandchildren already have a huge amount of debt.

That happens too in my country. People need to pay the tax which can increase anytime. While it is difficult to make money, they also difficult to obey the law of the government.

But on the other side, many officials do not reflect on the citizens sufferings. They just take many benefits as the officials without thinking about the citizens lives. They said that they deserve to get all of the benefits. But in fact, not many of them work for the people but for themselves.

It is not fair to see the reality but that happens in many countries. We really need to have honest officials who can manage the money and develop our country better.

[HONDACD125]

I wouldn't mind paying my taxes and paying enough for what I make if I'm getting good services and facilities from the government by using our tax money, but what happens, especially in our country, is that the money that we pay for taxes goes straight into the pockets or bank accounts of those who are in control of everything. They barely care for the country or its people, they know that they are going to retire sooner or later, and then go to another country with all the money they've gathered and enjoy the rest of their lives with their families while the country and the people suffer from the mess they've created.

This is the story of most of the countries with corrupt leaders and government officials, and this is also the reason why we are always looking for ways that we can use to avoid paying high taxes because we know that the taxes aren't going to be used for the right things because we can see, we aren't getting any good facilities, hospitals and schools funded by governments are useless, their employees are rude and mostly absent from their duties, etc.

[M47AK16]

You're right, and what you’re talking about is something that developed countries can actually fix.
But in my country, for example, this isn’t the problem.
Here government doesnt do anything to make our lives easier but still they are in high dept.
The only thing they do is increasing the taxes and pushing the citizens to pay more taxes.
And now our children and even grandchildren already have a huge amount of debt.

That happens too in my country. People need to pay the tax which can increase anytime. While it is difficult to make money, they also difficult to obey the law of the government.

But on the other side, many officials do not reflect on the citizens sufferings. They just take many benefits as the officials without thinking about the citizens lives. They said that they deserve to get all of the benefits. But in fact, not many of them work for the people but for themselves.

It is not fair to see the reality but that happens in many countries. We really need to have honest officials who can manage the money and develop our country better.

I don't think even honest officers will be able to change this because this is the way government works. This is a common problem in almost every country. Even the super powers will heavily tax their citizens which they quote is for the betterment of their country but only the top 1% have benefits our of these. Remaining end up paying heavy taxes and get nothing in return.

Government will start some kind of relief funds or people-charity once in a while where they will give either opportunities to the lower class or give some kind of relief fund in terms of necessity but this is where to corrupt officials will come in picture. They will start benefiting themselves and start filling their or their loved one's pockets without even thinking about others who might really need this. This should change because only after that it might be worth paying taxes. Development of a nation will not only depend on the amount of taxes collected but also the proper usage of these taxes.

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