> Yes, I buy things. I'm a shareholder in Apple, I have options against Walmart and I don't touch Amazon - so I do have some input into Apple, and conditionally I have some input into Walmart (if I'm holding stock during a voting period). I'm as much of an activist as I can be, I vote in every election for every security in my portfolio.
What I'm trying to point out is precisely this: you purchased shareholder rights independently from whatever shopping you've done at these places. In purchasing stock, you have given up the ability to purchase an equivalent amount of consumer or luxury goods. This is commendable! You own part of these companies and have some vested interest in their future. You should absolutely have a say in their governance, proportional to the fraction of the company you own.
These rights are yours because you own shares, not because you shop there.
> I know the best way to spend my money, I think other wealthy people do too. We could create a government that does the bare minimum and free up private money to be used as its owners see fit.
With governments, a rather poor distinction is made between people who are really and tangibly invested in the operating of the state and those who consume government services.
I would agree with you that a sanely-run government would focus only on things that it can do better than other firms and outsource or privatize ruthlessly.
> FWIW, I pay more in taxes than I spend on myself. My tax liability is about 50% higher than my yearly expenditures.
Commendable! I have not done the math but I would not be surprised if my own tax liability/discretionary spending ratios are similar. I would not yet say that I am a wealthy man, however, but I am a patient one. The children of those with low time-preference shall inherit the earth!