Which is better, high taxes with good government services and infrastructure or low taxes and small government

I don't like high taxes, but if they come with good government service and infrastructure I don't mind. We want our money to be something we can enjoy. Pay less taxes and save more money but have bad government and infrastructure, doesn't sound enjoyable.

Both models can work. Henry David Thoreau wrote the government that governs least governs best.

Katrina was a disaster. It was because of beuracracy not moving because it was too big they had infighting and it was about money at the top echolons of govt.

SOmething similar happened in the 1920s and government, our government, got supplies in by plane faster than under this government.

WHere does the Buck stop?

So I think you can have low taxes and great government services, it might not be health care for all,

The problem right now is we have spent too much money and gone into debt since the 1980s the debt has gone from 1 trillion to 8 trillion in 25 years, and now we need a serious tax increase to pay off this debt.

First of all, im not sure what you mean by "small" government, so I will assume by small you mean "with little public funds for public expenses". Between the two, i believe it's more beneficial for countries to assess high taxes and give the constituents value for their money by providing excellent government services and infrastructure. Taxes are a fact of life, you could die and still be taxed, but normally people wont mind paying for something as long as they know they will ultimately benefit from it. And if spent wisely by the government, taxpayers will indeed realize this benefit by seeing more government assistance, better roads, free access to education, health services and sanitation, and all other benefits that small economies do not enjoy but which the

general massess have need for. The "high taxes-better services" theory is adopted by most, if not all, first world economies, and is the "ideal" scenario. Third world and developing economies will benefit from this as the government will get a boost of finances to provide its citizens better services. The problem actually happens when taxpayers DO NOT receive the value for their money, like when corruption creeps into the picture. It's not bad for economic growth, it supports it.

Better for who? I have always felt that capitalism fails at the extremes. Most of us would agree that someone who works harder and smarter should earn more to some degree, but why should CEO's and baseball players earn millions while others are starving without health insurance, etc. The disparity between rich and poor in this country is disgusting. Do you really believe that the rich work that much harder or are that much more worthy? The selfish rich will always favor low taxes and small government of course and if by 'better' you mean a world in which Oil companies, Halliburton corp and rich people in general can get richer with as few limitations as possible, small government/low taxes is better-for them. If you would rather live in a compassionate society that cares for it's poorest and weakest, then I believe that good government services-even with all of government's flaws and inefficiencies-is worth the higher taxes.

High taxes for the rich. No matter how much money I had I would feel that way. The poor (or as I like to say "under-wealthy") are the backbone of our economy.

Less taxes, less government equals more freedom.

Look what happened with our government during Katrina. We need to not count on government so much because they will let us down. We need to learn to be responsible for ourselves.

I'll try to remember that as the Government pays my hospital and doctor bills...

Low taxes and more autonomy, with guns of course (to protect freedom).

high tax and good gov. is better

I'm a republican, that you should tell you where I stand.