Taxes are necessary to finance our government, on city, county, state and national levels.
That's a question that is, and should be, constantly open to debate. But many are not. Federal income taxes are deducted from our paychecks, somewhat disguising the size of the burden. State sales taxes are paid in small increments, with each purchase. County and city property taxes are paid in one annual lump, so we tend to be very much aware of them.