Recently, a hiker was suspected of abusing rescue resources by treating a rescue helicopter like a taxi; also earlier this month, Typhoon Jebi battered Kansai Airport in Japan, leaving Taiwanese tourists stranded and helpless, with the Japanese office of Taiwan’s representative body being criticized for inaction. Lawyer Lin Chih-chun believes these two news stories are actually about the same thing: I pay taxes, so I deserve an “all-you-can-eat” service!
Lin Chih-chun discussed his views on these two news stories on Facebook, stating that many (Taiwanese) people have a mindset: “I pay taxes anyway (they say this very loudly), so I deserve an ‘all-you-can-eat’ service!” Since the government takes my money, it should fulfill all my demands!
Lin Chih-chun questioned, “How much do you actually pay to the government each year? Should the government let you take and demand whatever you want? Provide you with a personal concierge abroad (embassies), and send a helicopter to pick you up whenever you need it?”
According to preliminary statistics from the Ministry of Finance’s Taxation Administration on income tax filings for the 2017 tax year, the average amount paid per filer was NT$21,923. Lin Chih-chun said that this is roughly the same as the annual cost of a gym membership, or a high-tier mobile phone plan. Go ask any company if they offer such an all-inclusive, all-you-can-eat service?
Lin Chih-chun believes, “You get what you pay for. If you want a higher level of service, then follow the example of Nordic countries where everyone pays taxes starting at 40%—it’s just a question of whether you can accept that.”
Netizens responded, “People in high-tax countries are mature adults, not spoiled brats, and they have civic awareness and don’t make a fuss over nothing. We raise our taxes just a little, and we start complaining and turn into monstrous spoiled brats.”
Others even said, “There are too many people who don’t pay taxes but live in luxury homes and drive luxury cars. The problem is their voices are particularly loud, and the government is especially afraid of them.”