Taxes have several functions:

• Fairly bill the public for the various services the government provides for them, such as roads, sewers, water, schools, medical care, defence, air traffic control, meat inspection…
• Stabilise the wealth gap. Without something to compensate, capitalism naturally widens the wealth gap. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
• Encourage people to do things that benefit the public good, e.g. conserve fuel.
• Discourage people from doing things that harm the public good, e.g. pollute.

~ Roedy (born: 1948-02-04 age: 64)