People who bring up that taxes are collected “by force” are invariably libertarian types that feel any cent that goes to the government is a great injustice, and it’s generally difficult to have any conversation but that when this is the case. If this applies to you, then see my earlier comment; otherwise this is just an fyi for how your comments are being read. Feel free to adjust or clarify as you see appropriate.
> People who bring up that taxes are collected “by force” are invariably libertarian types that feel any cent that goes to the government is a great injustice, and it’s generally difficult to have any conversation but that when this is the case.
I'm not terribly libertarian, but they're not wrong about taxes being collected at gunpoint.
There are lots of things (basically any governmental action) that we should remember end up being done by a police officer physically arresting someone, and if they resist, they will be violently subdued. What's more, there can be serious, often violent side effects. Cigarette taxes come to mind[1][2]. Prohibition in the US. Even property taxes results in folks getting removed from their house (sorry, their government's house) by a sheriff. And don't get me started on eminent domain and civil asset forfeiture.
I'm not saying that taxes are immoral. I am saying that we should be very careful how we wield this lever of government. And implicitly (now explicitly) that you're being rather blasé about it.
As you pointed out, there's generally not taxes for art. There are taxes, and the money the government takes from you could be used for art. There's no guarantee.
Yes, that’s why we vote. I understand that a lot of the money goes towards things I don’t particularly like, which I always vote to reduce. But I generally approach this as ”I’d rather that money be used for something else” not “I should just not pay at all”.
