Benefits
Democratization
Our commitment to democracy is at the core of every action we undertake in government. Recognizing the challenges inherent in achieving pure democracy, we're dedicated to bolstering representation through every possible avenue. Tax choice does just that—it magnifies individual representation without introducing the complexities typically associated with direct democracy. Living in a representative democracy means we've opted for a more streamlined governance model, but this comes at the cost of some individual representation. Even the most well-intentioned and proficient officials can't possibly reflect the rich diversity of ideas and viewpoints of their constituents. Tax choice, however, is our straightforward solution to this issue, augmenting individual representation without any compromises. It empowers citizens to directly influence where their tax dollars are spent, ensuring government spending is more closely aligned with public interest. This approach embodies democracy at its finest—not just choosing our leaders, but also participating in the impactful decisions that affect us all.
Government effeciency
Tax choice boosts governmental efficiency in two ways. Firstly, it creates a powerful incentive for the town to demonstrate the tangible impact of citizens' tax contributions. This creates a merit-based competition among municipal departments and programs, where the pursuit of increased funding mandates the explicit demonstration of their value and effectiveness to the public. This dynamic fosters enhanced quality in public services and substantially curtails wasteful spending. Additionally, taxes flow uninterrupted from citizen to department, negating the need for intermediary handling and subsequently eradicating opportunities for fiscal mismanagement or delay.
Civic Engagement
Discretionary Taxation would enhance civic engagement in two main ways. Firstly, residents would feel a direct sense of agency and participation in local government spending, knowing their personal values and priorities are reflected in the budget. This ownership over financial decisions can stimulate increased involvement in public meetings and budget discussions. Secondly, the requirement for taxpayers to make informed decisions about allocation would naturally promote deeper research and understanding of town operations and needs, fostering a more informed and involved citizenry.
Taxpayer SatIsfaction
There are no two ways around it: nobody likes to pay taxes. It is hard not to view taxes as burdens, payments for some arbitrary endeavor of which we may never see products. Tax choice commodifies taxes, making it more like shopping and less like paying fines; it enables residents to put their money towards a tangible end. The physiological aspect of taxes being compulsory also lends to their distaste. Tax choice would give agency back to residents and reduce this repulsion.
