what do taxes pay for

Taxes pay for various public services and programs provided by the government, including but not limited to:

1. Education - funding for public schools and universities
2. Healthcare - funding for public hospitals and healthcare programs
3. Infrastructure - funding for roads, bridges, public transportation, and other infrastructure projects
4. Defense and national security - funding for the military and national security agencies
5. Social welfare - funding for programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
6. Public safety - funding for law enforcement agencies and emergency services
7. Environmental protection - funding for environmental programs and initiatives
8. Public parks and recreational facilities - funding for public parks, libraries, and recreational facilities
9. Government operations - funding for the salaries of government employees and the operations of government agencies.

Overall, taxes are used to support the functioning and development of society and provide essential services to the public.