this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2023
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Mildly Interesting

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This is for strictly mildly interesting material. If it's too interesting, it doesn't belong. If it's not interesting, it doesn't belong.

This is obviously an objective criteria, so the mods are always right. Or maybe mildly right? Ahh.. what do we know?

Just post some stuff and don't spam.

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I assume "Other purposes" is govt kickbacks to mining and gas companies ๐Ÿ˜ฌ

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[โ€“] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I agree with you 100% that this should be standard everywhere, but here's the thing... this information is readily available already.

At least in the US. But just like with most thing, it takes citizens a willingness to show the tiniest bit of effort to find that information.

https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58888

This is but one of many sites which show a breakdown of where our money in the US goes. Having one that breaks down each person's personal contribution would be especially interesting, but a percent is a percent so if 20% of our money collectively goes to X, then 20% of what your paid as an individual will also go to X.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

sometimes accessibility and user experience is more important than "its available if you look for it.: 99% of people don't really have time, they have families, jobs, some leisure, cooking, paying bills, visiting family. etc. etc. So it should be easy and the FACT that it isn't easy is purposeful whereas the Australian system is purposefully easy.

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't disagree with your sentiment, but again, it IS easy. It took me less than 10 seconds to find the link I provided. Sure, make it even easier still by including it with every tax return, but let's not kid ourselves - this shit is incredibly easy but average taxpayers just don't want to bother.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I would argue average taxpayers don't know it exists and a ton of them, particularly older ones have a very hard time with technology. I've had to show my mother in law how to get a url from her phone to her desk top, I've explained what the read mode means in Firefox, and numerous other things. Easy for you doesn't mean easy for everyone.