Indeed.
Fortunately, I suspect the "debate" here is not fully representative of the Australian community. A forum dedicated to an investment approach that has tax minimisationat it's core, is unlikely to be populated from base to apex with people who value the societal and economic value of a decent taxation system.
And let's remind ourselves of the fact that Australia is a low tax country - a quite remarkable outcome when you consider that we provide much of the social support of the nothern European countries but manage to do so with a tax base proportionally not much higher than the US; which is generally happy to leave the disadvantaged languishing at the bottom of the economic heap.
Like most Western nations we simply have the view - and are keen only to support politicians who will play to same - that all the government benefits and largesse we receive are fair and reasonable ...as long as someone else is paying for them.
For example, other tax payers contributing to my costs of holding a loss producing housing asset so that I might make a capital gain to be taxed at a discounted...a good thing for everyone. Me contributing to rebuilding roads, bridges and railways destroyed by flodo...an outrageous impost that will lead to the collapse of civilisation as we know it.
Nice post - love the perspective
