I haven't seen the context of this discussion, but just going off of @Malachi s post here. This is interesting and I have a few thoughts on this:
Taxes are crucial and vital in order for a society to develop. I have a friend who essentially lies about much of his taxes. It's a shame. I would argue he is taking advantage of society (in that he continues to use the goods and services society offers him, like public roads, for example, without paying for it in anyway). In the big picture, it seems to just be a short-term and selfish approach.
At the same time, I am a small business owner. There are some taxes that I consider absolutely proposterous....namely one that requires tax payments on all assets in an office/owned by the business from year to year. I can't remember the name of it..
I lived in Ghana for a bit, and also lived in India for a year and a half. One thing I learned is that the 'financial system' (if that is the proper way to term it) can easily be undermined. For example, if you are pulled over by a cop, you can easily pay them off so that you don't receive a ticket. Does this help you? Sure. Does this help enforce necessary laws of society? Absolutely not. It causes more harm than benefit. I also wondered while in these countries if one of the reasons they struggle to develop as aggressively as others is because people can get away without paying taxes as much (there is less of a structure to enforce so, like there is in the USA for example). I wonder on this? Any thoughts?
Last, @Malachi, I wouldn't lay undermining/avoiding taxes at 'rightists' feet, although I could definitely see it happening more there. I would imagine people on both ends of the political spectrum do this often on a personal basis (although I could be wrong).
