To Tax or not to Tax?

Recent days have seen much debate about taxation and tax rates specifically. Should the wealthy pay more as they have the means to do so? I think they should pay according to their means but that is a side issue distracting the people from more important questions they should be asking. Americans never seem to ask one important question that could give them a better perspective on their own situation.

The question not asked is how do we compare to the rest of the world? Wikipedia has a good article comparing world taxation rates. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_around_the_world
According to the charts in the article, Americans have some of the lowest personal tax rates in the industrialized world. We should be grateful for this instead of complaining about how high our taxes are. Like wise for our energy costs! Granted, our corporate taxes are on the higher end of the scale but isn't that the cost for having such low personal tax rates?

If we really want lower taxes we need to examine where our tax money is really spent and ask some hard questions about our priorities and ambitions. Do we really need dozens of military bases in foreign countries around the world? No other country has this. How can we ask other countries to become self sufficient if we don't allow them to stand on their own? NATO obligations for the mutual defense of its neighbours I understand. Korea, Japan, and the Philippines etc. are not members of NATO. Bases on Pacific or Indian Ocean island that are US territories I also can understand, but they are not foreign soil. How many billions do we spend on bases and personnel stationed in foreign countries where we have no combat roles or responsibilities? Could not these billions be better spent improving the lives and conditions of the American people?

Why is it that the countries with higher personal tax rates seem to be to a large extent, stronger and more stable economically. For one example, Canada. Taxes are higher, no one goes bankrupt and loses their home due to medical expenses. Fuel taxes and therefore prices are higher but the infrastructure in better condition. Banks are more highly regulated but they still make billions in profit, none have ever failed, foreclosures have not risen significantly and property prices never tanked. Mortgages can not be bought and sold on a whim or securitized and put an entire financial system at risk.

Sensible tax rates and regulations may inconvenience big businesses and wealthy individuals but they also can provide a structure and stability to a society that seems to be in chaos due to excessive tax cutting and deregulation. American roads, bridges and other infrastructure components are falling apart. Millions are without affordable healthcare. Healthcare costs are out of control. Government deficits have no end in sight and there is no real plan to resolve any of these situations.

We already have some of the lowest personal tax rates and energy costs in the industrialized world but at what cost? We want the world but we don't seem to be willing to pay for it. Taxes will eventually have to go up or we will have to learn to scale back our lifestyles and ambitions. We need to really prioritize and be grateful for what we have rather than complaining about what we don't have.