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Like most people, I don’t like paying taxes. Truth be known, I don’t like paying for anything. It would be nice to get everything for free. Of course, that’s not possible, and when I go shopping I pay just as you do. But, right on the spot, I get something for my money. It doesn’t always seem that way when I pay taxes.

That might be part of the reason we all dislike taxes: It’s sometimes hard to see or appreciate what we’re getting for our money. Plus, when I go to Wal-Mart, I have the option of not buying. That choice does not exist with taxes. Pay or go to jail.

We have developed two principles of how to tax. The first is based on ability to pay and the second is based on benefits received. With ability to pay, we tax people according to how much wealth they possess. Those who can afford the most pay the greatest tax. An example is the income tax. The more income a taxpayer has, the more that person will be taxed. It’s why the rich usually pay more than the poor.