On the local news, they are constantly reminding us how much it “costs the taxpayer”.
Raids of the occupy protests, costs of building roads, prisons, social programs, court fees, etc…
To be fair, maybe they should also remind viewers how much something “benefited the taxpayer”.
Public parks, free education, clean air and water, social safety net, life saving healthcare, subsidized energy costs, transportation infrastructure, safe food products, jobs, retirement benefits, etc…
It should be obvious that I am not defending wasteful government programs, or condoning fraudulent use of our taxes. However, it is misleading, dangerous, and stupid to imply that the government only wastes our money.