Yours is a common misconception brought about by the constant onslaught of academic, political and religious demagoguery. No government can override individual rights to life, liberty, property and self-defense--unless those rights are abrogated when one violates the rights of others. Does the will of the people justify include slavery, genocide etc.
Of course not, but the government did do those things. But my point was that the distinction you're making between "voluntary" and "government mandated" is artificial and doesn't reflect the actual choices people have to make in real life.
Since you brought up the issues of slavery and genocide, it should be noted that the government was far more accommodating towards the business community and private sector investors in allowing slavery and genocide to take place. Our expansionist policies took in vast lands and resources which made many capitalists quite wealthy, as they had a business-friendly government with a modern, well-trained army ready to do their bidding.
I'm sure you will ask, then how do we tax in order to support valid government business? Limit taxation to tariffs and a consumption tax--and, of course, limit the damn size of government. Those can be avoided by not participating in the market. The intrusiveness and outright theft of the income tax is the most egregious. And, you may also wonder why we don't have a wealth tax. The property is essentially a wealth tax, forcing us to rent the real estate we "own". But the super wealthy have determined the tax structure: there are laws to side-step capital gains taxes, there is no wealth tax, and the progressive income tax keeps a lid on the up and coming competition--with there being loop holes in that incomprehensible tax code as well.
Well, you make a good point about the incomprehensible tax code.
I also agree that government could and should be made more efficient and less wasteful. We could probably save a lot of money and limit the size of government in various ways.
As for what constitutes "valid government business," that's a philosophical decision which largely rests on what the people's idea of what America actually is and what our purpose in the world should be. There seems to be rather sharp differences of opinion on the matter which has somewhat hampered the political system of late.
I suppose I'm like most Americans in that I accept that death and taxes are two things you can't really get around. Income taxes, sales taxes, excise taxes, property taxes, gas taxes - along with various fees which are just as bad as taxes. At least compared to other countries, I guess it's not quite so bad here. I'll admit it could better, but it could also be worse. At least, as far as things I would complain about regarding the government, taxes seems like a relatively minor complaint in this day and age.
What I could never understand is that it often seems as if the loudest voices complaining about taxes are usually those of the well-off and wealthy. Even if they're taxed, they still invariably end up with more money than most everyone else, so what are they complaining about?
I remember an argument with some guy who was lamenting the plight of a couple earning $250,000 per year and having to pay $100k of that to the government, leaving them with $150,000 free and clear. For most Americans who don't earn that much, that would be more than enough. For people around the world who earn a tiny fraction of what even the lowest paid Americans earn, it would be a lifetime of wealth.
And yet, these people still complain that they don't have enough, that the government is taking too much from them. Maybe it's the principle of the thing, and they might have a point there. But really, is it
that much of a hardship? Is anyone in danger of going homeless or starving due to taxes? I don't think so.
