IF you spent a bit of time analyzing your statement you'd realize that the Government doesn't just take money but also give it out.

And not just to employees and benefit receivers but also entrepreneurs and companies.

It's by far the largest single economic actor and statistically speaking given the size of such a large actor it is more likely than not you ended up breaking even as far as quality of life (QOL) when considering all your transactions (in money and services) with the Government.

Given the economic growth measured by GDP in the period 2000-2024 even more likely is that you ended up ahead.

Except in many, if not most, cases a company’s inefficiencies IS your problem. The perfectly informed rational consumer doesn’t exist. We’re forced to buy what’s on the shelves that we can afford, and the water in the pipes and power on the grid. When the businesses collude and price fix and lower the quality of your goods you DO suffer and your only recourse is regulation.

And get out of here with that libertarian “services I don’t use” nonsense.