Jamil oakford/ managing editor

A collective groan arises when taxes come up in any conversation, but it’s important to remember just how vital tax money can be. Taxes keep a functioning society going.

Taxes pay for things citizens of a civilized society use, sometimes on a daily basis. Other services covered by taxpayers are used to help segments of the population that need it.

Women Infants and Children, food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid are just a few of the good services taxes help pay for.

The argument can be made that if a taxpayer  doesn’t use the services like WIC or food stamps, why should he or she be forced to help fund it. But that’s not exactly what taxes are for.

The money the government spends on programs and services that benefit citizens usually go to programs that private companies would have no incentive to provide people. That’s why they’re so important. That’s also why it’s so concerning when people talk about privatizing Social Security or other programs aiding citizens.

As former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said, “Taxes are the price we pay for civilization.”

Sure, April 15 is probably the least favorite day, and filing taxes becomes tedious, but they do a lot of people a lot of good.

For example, infrastructure is also funded by taxpayer dollars. That means resurfacing roads or keeping bridges renovated and up to code depends on citizens’ money to the government.

Yes, that’s a laughable concept to Texan drivers who navigate a tricky dance of tango through miles of highlighter orange construction cones. But they could be very helpful to the traffic congestion people face on their commute to and from home or work.

What seems silly is AT&T Stadium was paid for in part by the good graces of Arlington taxpayers.

Why are some people OK with taxes being funneled into an organization that hasn’t reciprocated an investment in the community but complain about taxes going into a visibly beneficial service like prisons or community health?