I believe we need a lot more of this. What do you think?

Yes the pork has to stop. However, when the pork directly affects individuals and their immediate communities, you will find that people will hesitate.

In addition, it is easy to say "stop all the loopholes" until people go to pay their taxes; I think when people realize that cutting out the loopholes would be the equivalent of paying more taxes, then you will see further hesitations....

It is definitely a complex situation, not so black and white as it would seem.

Interesting subject, particularly at this time. Around me, the wealthy are buying land for investment, do nothing with it because the Government pays them $ 40.00 per Acre per year for NOT farming it.

Instead these landowners are renting the Property to others on a regular basis for hunting.

WHY are we allowing such Government payments while cutting Police, Teachers etc.?

The taking of property against consent of the owner is called "theft".

Theft in any form is commonly/universally accepted as being fundamentally wrong as it is a violation of basic natural individual rights.

Using a threat to control/forcefully persuade someone is called "coercion".

Coercion is also commonly accepted as being fundamentally wrong as it is a violation of basic natural individual rights as well.

"pay or face the imposed consequences" is an example of an act of theft by coercive means.

Taxes are 'pay vs state imposed consequences', thus, theft via coercion.

Coercion and theft are a violation of rights, therefore wrong, thus, taxes are wrong.

The annual state/federal budget should be $0.00

"No Rulers"

I have a problem raising taxes...PERIOD ! Try a Balanced Budget Amendment , the same retirement plan for Congress as we have in the private sector, term limits, and line item veto FIRST !

Your final sentence gives you away. What difference does it make? I suspect the idea is to realize spending cuts first, then give tax cuts as opposed to raising them.