I make more money than 99% of Americans. I didn’t inherit my money, earn it off of interest in an offshore account, or win the Powerball jackpot. I work hard for my money, clocking 60–80 hours a week in a management position in the Midwest.

Most of what I make pays my mortgage, insurance, student loans, and other bills. I save some money for my kids’ college savings or my retirement (but probably not enough). And then, there are my taxes. Because of my income level, many of the credits and deductions are phased out or gone entirely, and I pay a higher percentage of what I make, too. When most people get a refund, I claim zero dependents on my W-2 and still owe a tax bill in April. My property tax rate is over 13% — that’s probably higher than yours, too. As someone who’s taxed at a higher rate than almost anyone who’s reading this post, I’ll be the first to admit it: taxes suck.

As someone who’s taxed at a higher rate than almost anyone who’s reading this post, I’ll be the first to admit it: taxes suck.

And while our public schools, police departments, and medical services aren’t perfect, I do believe that a society has a responsibility to educate, protect, and care for its citizens — even if sometimes it means providing food, shelter, or additional services at the expense of those of us who can afford an iPhone 6 and a Latte.

Now, before you accuse me of writing a veiled attack on Republican officials who pledge not to raise taxes or voters who constantly complain about their taxes (and the things they go toward, such as welfare, food stamps, public housing, and union pensions), let me assure you this is not a veiled attack: I think you’re assholes.

You complain that big government wastes your hard-earned tax dollars on food stamps, public housing, and programs like Medicaid. You revolt against raises for public school teachers, police officers, and firefighters, and vow to take away the pensions that were once promised to the people who educate your children, keep your family safe, and make sure your house doesn’t burn down. You drive on roads. The crops you consume are subsidized. You’re protected from predatory corporate activity. If you lost your job tomorrow, you’d still be able to feed your children — because sometimes doing what’s right costs money, and part of living in a society means we all need to contribute.

If you’re outraged at the government’s mismanagement of funds, I’ll agree — it’s frustrating. But were you also frustrated with the mismanagement of the Iraq war and the billions that went to build infrastructure in a remote desert across the globe? Where was your sense of fiscal responsibility when we took on an unprecedented amount of national debt to wage a pointless battle in Baghdad? There isn’t ever money to provide healthcare, food, or support to people with disabilities, but we go to war with a blank check.

Where was your sense of fiscal responsibility when we took on an unprecedented amount of national debt to wage a pointless battle in Baghdad?

As a society, we have an obligation to help people who are disabled, homeless, uneducated, and struggling with addiction. Access to the best healthcare technology in the world shouldn’t be restricted to people who can afford a flat panel TV and a premium cable subscription. Even though the system has it’s scammers, I don’t believe that, given the choice between a living-wage job and a comfortable standard of living or a welfare check and a 1-inch foam mat, the latter would be more preferred by anyone. There’s no dignity in paying for your children’s food with food stamps.

I know that some welfare recipients exchange their checks for cash so that they can buy booze. I’m not surprised that some people deliberately avoid working because it’s cheaper for them to stay home and collect government benefits. Do people lie about disabilities, fake injuries, or live here illegally and send their children to school? Of course. But that’s the price of living in a country where people are free to make their own choices.

And, in the words of my Republican friends, “Freedom isn’t free.”