3D, The Constitution allows the Government to levy taxes for infrastructure based on the common good so your "Poplar Street Bridge" analogy is worthless (way to over react though ). Your outrage over veteran's benefits is likewise foolish as they are provided as a contractual obligation based on service rather than a social welfare program. As far as being the richest nation on Earth and taking care of our poor, We are also the most charitable nation on earth and our private and secular charities do a much better job of taking care of the poor than our Government does. Think about it, would you rather have Larry Rice or the City of St Louis in charge of taking care of you if you needed it?