There have been taxes since the king's tax of ancient kingdoms to the present day with people protesting the confiscation of their wealth -- and this hasn't made a damn difference.

Truth be known, most people would not work toward the 'common good' and many would always disagree with the intentions of the politically oriented spending. They would rather buy the latest consumer goods but without some organized public infrastructure these goods would be scarce.

Politically directed isolationism as well as interference has produced world animosity as well as open conflicts and war so no matter which approach you take it will have a high fail rate -- history has proven this true.

On the OP titled post -- Paul Ryan, his thinking is right wing Republican and top down (or trickle down) economics -- an old disproved scheme. However, for those at the top of the food chain it works they just need someone to con the working people to believe its benefit to them. So, they use the examples of evil social spending to prove their trickle down scam.

When you get your trickle down crumbs; Say, "Thank you Sir" in true Dickens context.