[MD] Distinguishing Levels (Individual level)

[Case]

[Arlo]
I'm not sure if taxation is the answer. Changing the valuative practices
through expanding the dialogue certainly is. As I've said before, the
mercantilistic language we've adopted is a source of the problem. What
people have to realize when they buy ANYTHING is that they acquire more than
the "product", but also the mode of production, labor practices,
environmental impact, and policy.

[Case]
I agree that there has been a change in the public dialog that is corrosive.
Taxation for example has been portrayed as theft. The ancient Jews called it
tithing. But taxation serves a number of public interest besides funding
services and programs. The value of these functions has been overlook in
recent years. 

By taxing certain expenses government can discourage them. Sin taxes,
purchase of foreign made goods are examples. By providing deductions for
specific expenses governments can encourage citizen behavior and stimulate
the economy in targeted areas. These are ways to influence citizen's
behavior without demanding compliance. None of this is possible when people
think taxation is supposed to be 'fair'. It is not 'fair'. It is not
supposed to be.

I for one detest the income tax. It seems to me an extraordinary and
unnecessary for the government to know how much I earn and how I spend it.
It is ironic to hear the wealthy whine about a flat tax or a fair tax since
the only reason we have an income tax at all was to screw rich people.
Perhaps I am wrong but why else would citizens have voted to amend the
constitution to allow it?

Taxation is not evil anymore than "government is the problem" 

It strikes me that poor citizenship is our biggest problem. "Citizen" is
highest public office in this land. To be a "Citizen" is a matter of
personal honor and public duty. A "Citizen" is educated, informed and
actively pursues the public interest as well as his own. A "Citizen" demands
respect for his personal rights but does not shirk his civic
responsibilities. 

I fear the title has been devalued and demeaned in modern public discourse. 

[Arlo]
Gore wants me to worry about a coming cataclysm. I am more worried about the
quality of my environment today. I don't want to clean emissions to shave a
few decades of the next ice age. I want to clean emissions because my town
is getting hazy with all increases in cars and people. And it makes the air
I breathe today suck. I want clean rivers and streams so I can go fishing
and (gasp!) actually eat the fish I catch. I want my daughter to be able to
drink from a stream without fear of ingesting dye, carcinogenic chemicals or
any sort of sickening waste pumped into it.

[Case]
While Gore talks about the future he spends most of his time talking about
what is going on now all over the world. He also gives the example of the
frog that jumps out of hot water but will die if the heat is turned up
gradually.