@tsu The politicians have the money. Despite evasion, there are a lot of taxes paid.

The main problem is that much of is wasted. On militarism. On monarchs. On buying multiple mansions for politicians and their friends. On the prison system and ICE-like organizations. On nuclear submarines which have been obsolete since the end of the cold war.

Especially in the US, but also elsewhere, a lot of tax money *just disappears*. It goes into the secret economy of clandestine projects and political backhanders. It goes into the suitcases full of cash bunged to certain allies or the bribe money to keep certain people quiet about certain government activities. I don't see any politicians complaining about the black budget though. It's much easier for them to talk about cutting welfare and basic services.

The fundamental problem is lack of democratic control over common resources.