Collecting Taxes, Dispensing Fear | Cato Institute

Collecting Taxes, Dispensing Fear | Cato Institute: "Members of Congress “buy votes” by handing out “free stuff.” "

"Members of Congress also buy campaign contributions by proposing and voting for expenditures that reward certain companies, industries, and unions Solyndra and the General Motors bailout come to mind. This kind of buying of votes and campaign contributions goes on in most democracies. The United States may be the world’s leader in vote and contribution buying through special provisions in the tax code."

"It is well beyond the ability of any one or even a group of individuals to fully know the tax code and attendant regulations. In addition, all too much of it is imprecise, contradictory, beyond common sense and poorly written."