This time of year it is useful to recount the parable of the taxpayer and the member of Congress. Tip O’Neill, the colorful congressman from Massachusetts who said “all politics is local,” used to recount a version of this.
The taxpayer woke up one winter morning feeling angry about his taxes. He decided to travel to Washington to complain directly to his Congressional representative.
He turned on the radio to listen the weather report, provided by the National Weather Service. He heard the city snowplow go by, clearing his street. He made a cup of coffee with clean water.
He cooked up some eggs and bacon for his family, food products that were certified by the meat inspectors at US Department of Agriculture. It never crossed his mind the possibility that his family might be poisoned.
He kissed his children goodbye as they waited for the school bus to take them to the local public elementary school and high school. His oldest daughter hoped to attend college and was applying for financial aid loans and grants, like the ones he received a generation earlier. On his walk to the subway, he dropped her application letters in the US Post Office mailbox.
He passed the senior housing community where his dear mother lived. He didn’t worry for a second about his mother, who had quality health care paid for by Medicare, a monthly Social Security check and a secure, friendly and affordable community to live in.
He took the subway to the airport, half the cost of his ride subsidized by state and federal transportation funds. He then flew to Washington on a plane inspected by Federal Aviation Agency inspectors, after passing through security provided by the Transportation Security Administration.
On his way to the U.S. Capitol, he stopped for an hour at the Smithsonian Museum of History, celebrating our nation’s inspiring and unique history. Admission was free to all and thousands of school children were flocking into the museum when he departed. When he got lost, a courteous national park ranger gave him directions to the Congressional office building.
Finally, the taxpayer arrived at his meeting with the Congressman. “Congressman,” he said, pounding his fist on the table. “I don’t get anything for my tax dollars!”
This parable reminds us of all the things we take for granted in modern society, services we don’t usually notice until they go away. We like to grumble about “government bureaucrats,” but expect someone to be at our house within five minutes after calling 911. We want the library book on the shelf, the road to be plowed, the floors of the elementary school to be clean — yet only pay attention when things aren’t going our way.
As Americans, we tend to take the commons for granted, the advanced public infrastructure and knowledge institutions that our ancestors built for us. We’re like fish who swim in an ocean of public-funded services and don’t see the water around us.
Of course there is waste and inefficiency, as there are in all human enterprises. But the answer is more democratic engagement, not less. Complaining and withdrawing from being an engaged citizen will only make things worse. Taxes are the way we pay for a healthy commons of infrastructure, public and community institutions, and basic quality-of-life services and safety services that make our lives better.
As April 15th approaches, this is one parable to reflect upon and share with others.
Chuck Collins is a fellow with On the Commons. He is co-author of the new report, Shifting Responsibility: How 50 Years of Tax Cuts Benefited the Wealthiest Americans. Also, the 2010 Tax Day Talking Points.