Today's Must-Read: What Taxes Pay For

In civilized countries, at least, and once upon a time, here in America as well. You're not going to hear about this from Republicans:

Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (AOC, for short), Democrat of New York, is the occasion for the discussion, you may have heard. In an interview with Anderson Cooper of 60 Minutes, AOC proposes a "Green New Deal" for moving the U.S. economy to renewable energy in 12 years, funded with a top marginal tax rate of "60 or 70 percent."

Thus, in her first week in office, AOC set conservatives' hair ablaze by saying the U.S. tax structure should resemble something more like the radical days of Dwight Eisenhower. The retired World War II general initiated construction of the now-crumbling interstate highway system in 1956. That national investment paid for in part by a more progressive tax policy has produced untold economic benefits for the country ever since, and explosive growth that would have been impossible without the 41,000 miles of tax-funded roads.

Note the reference to the "now-crumbling" interstate highways system. That's what you get after decades of Republicans holding the purse strings.

Compare to someplace like Sweden:

I was very grateful to live in Sweden when the triplets were born.The operating room was swarming with highly skilled professionals; one team of doctor and nurses for every triplet, one team to handle the Cesarean.I thought "I'm spending every krona I ever paid in tax right now." pic.twitter.com/q1RlbAMsiz

— @sweden (@sweden) June 25, 2018

Also note that Canada's national health service, which pays about 70% of Canadians' health-care costs, is fully funded by the provincial and territorial governments -- and Canadians pay less income tax, on the average, than Americans.
'
Food for thought, in the light of the GOP's recent "tax reform" bill.