The increase in costs for all federal, state and local government programs instituted and expanded over the past decades is staggering.

Of course, the money to fund those programs doesn’t grow on trees. If it did, there would be many more farms and urban gardens across the country.

In reality – setting aside deficit borrowing and government accounting shenanigans – the money government spends is taken from productive individuals and business in the form of taxes.

Thus, in aggregate each year, more and more money is confiscated from citizen taxpayers in order to fund new programs and the increased cost of existing programs.

How did this happen?

The progressive seeds – planted in the late 1800s – sprouted in the early 1900s with the establishment of the income tax and the federal reserve; rooted deeper during FDR’s reign with Social Security and the Withholding Taxes; accelerated during LBJ’s ‘un-Great’ Society; and, now have exploded with BHO’s statist takeovers and redistribution programs.

Will it ever stop?

Before continuing, we should note that it is indeed the exception that any program established by government ever gets reduced or closed out. There are, perhaps, two reasons:

o First, the receivers of all the payouts would never vote to let that happen; and,

o Second, as the special interests have told us, and the media ‘go-alongs’ have                                                              drummed into our heads, the government payouts are sold as “entitlements.”

All of which serves to expand the pool of people looking for a piece of the government giveaway action while growing the funding requirements of the various government programs and driving up the need for still higher taxes.

As a result of irresponsible actions taken by incumbents, at all levels of government, government spending and debt explodes, and the insatiable thirst for taxpayer dollars has become unquenchable.

How did we get in this quandary?

Before addressing that, an interjection for background:

Last week we reported on Tax Freedom Day. That’s the day when each of us has earned enough income to pay our tax liabilities to federal and state government. If you missed it click here – DailyCaller – or email me to get your copy.

We closed that column with two notes sandwiching two questions. After noting the reality that some foundational “taxes are necessary” we posed two fundamental questions:

1. How much tax is necessary for our federal government; and,

2. How much tax is necessary for your state government?

…then capped it noting “These are questions for each citizen taxpayer to consider.”

Those two questions are at the core of our quandary.

Here’s the quandary:

Given the special-interest group politics that increasingly permeates our society and the expansion of government transfer programs, it is not surprising that many think it impossible to stop the exploding growth of government spending.

Some insist that is the case.

But I don’t buy it.

Such thinking short-circuits the corrective change that is necessary.

Worse, such thinking limits the public debate to a framework preferred by those special interest groups and those incumbents who, as the old saying goes…        “Rob Peter, to pay — or is it pay off — Paul.”

What can cut through the ill-liberal rhetoric and manipulative emotional appeals is this question:

“Can I afford more taxes”?

This is the key common-sense question that every taxpaying American citizen should ask of themselves, and answer only for themselves.

Whenever any individual (let’s call him Paul Smith) answers that question with the intent or disregard for other individuals (we’ll call them Peter Jones), then that is the instance in time when Paul Smith wants “something for nothing.” Smith’s need might be valid or his lifestyle want is to “keep up with the Jones.” That’s bad.

But, when government inserts itself into the situation – as it has done – it makes matters worse. Those officials – elected or otherwise – who have made the decisions or who carry out the takings become the willing perpetrators on behalf of Paul.

The “something” they give to Paul is taken from Peter.

Of course, the cost to Peter – and society – is much more than “nothing.”

What can be done?

Caring citizens must require individual responsibility from all other citizens in all appropriate instances and expel government from the social process.

In the above scenario, that means what Smith wants, thinks he needs, or may actually need is relevant to Jones only if Jones is willing to agree to a mutually beneficial transaction, which might even include Jones personally gifting to Smith whatever Smith says he wants or needs.

Interestingly, there was a time when we called the former personal agreement or contract; and, the latter charity. We ought to refocus and restore that going forward.

If America’s Citizens permit government to remain in the process, then the Robin Hoods in government will continue to roam through the private forest of citizen assets and earnings in order to continue to “Rob Peter, to pay — or is it pay off — Paul.”

How might responsible citizens flush out incumbent and wanna-be Robin Hoods?

Again, ask yourself “Can you afford more taxes?”

And, “Can I afford more government debt?”

If your answer is “No” to either or both of these common sense questions, there is a single simple straightforward question to be asked of every candidate for federal and state office:

“Do you pledge now that you will not vote to raise any tax rates or add new taxes; and instead, do you pledge that you will vote to eliminate taxes, reduce rates, and eliminate programs not directly specified in the United States Constitution or state Constitution?”

Concerned citizens would be wise to limit their support only to candidates who answer and affirmatively commit “Yes” to the pledge.  Any candidate elected who has not committed to the pledge will likely perpetuate the problems instead of restoring financial sanity within government.

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications, a professional member of the National Speakers Association, and founder of Citizens For Change (www.CFC.us). He can be reached via email: RichOlivastro@gmail.com ; telephone: 877.RichSpeaks. Checkout his blog: www.richardolivastro/blog