Of course, when the government subsidizes some activities and penalizes or restricts others, it interferes with the rational planning of individuals and distorts the free-market system. The government is responsible for hampering rational growth in a variety of ways. The government taxes around half of people's income. With so much personal income going straight to the coffers of government planners, people have less money to buy things they want and need. With high taxation, charitable projects, including those aimed at protecting wilderness areas, are directly diminished.
Taxes also hamper the progress of technology.
New sources of energy, new communications tools, and better homesteading technology all lead to a better quality of life. For instance, technological advances have led to a decrease of Denver's smog, and promise better air quality in the future. High regulatory burdens also slow the advance of technology. For instance, the anti-trust laws stifle competition and retard innovation. This again reduces the quality of life.