13. Tax Policy: Pay the Price

Metaeconomics clarifies that a tax is actually the price paid to better ensure reasonable levels of attainment of the shared Other-interest, in such things as public research and education; public health (pandemic, anyone?); food and drug standards and safety; and, yes, the traditionally accepted price paid for roads, police, fire, and military. So, taxes that reflect said value V, coming out the other decision forms (especially the Administrative, Legislative, and Judicial Branches of Government) often priceless in nature, are essential. Taxes are not a distortion in the market forum, which produces the price p. Rather, taxes hold the potential to help the market work more effectively at representing the value V of things held in the shared Other-interest. Taxes are essential to efficiency and happiness.