From AlterNet
By Sally Kohn

Over the last 40 decades, conservatives have launched a concerted attack on taxes with such success that now candidates of both parties reliably compete with each other to prove who is more anti-tax. When John McCain and Sarah Palin attack taxes, that’s one thing. But when Barack Obama starts doing it, we have a big problem.

Conventional wisdom has it that Americans hate taxes. But the conventional wisdom is wrong.

“Nobody likes taxes,” Obama said during his third debate with McCain. “I would prefer that none of us had to pay taxes, including myself.” Sarah Palin, during the Vice Presidential debate, said there is nothing patriotic about paying taxes. Well, I like taxes and am glad to be fortunate enough to pay them and I think April 15th is the most patriotic day of the year. And I’m not the only one. Polls show voters like taxes, too, so maybe politicians left, right and center should stop attacking taxes and instead start talking about the good they do.

So here are the three reasons why I love taxes — and, as it turns out, why the majority of Americans agree.

1. Taxes are a down payment on the common good

Public schools, roads and bridges, drinking water, national parks — we like these things and, polls show, we like the idea of our tax dollars helping make these things better.

Read more Taxes