Every four years or so, a conspiracy of politicians, campaign advisers, and speech writers will offer to exchange your vote for a tax break. Keep in mind that the intelligent radio program that you have just heard, the web page you have just bookmarked, the medication that you are presently taking, were subsidized in some part with federal funds provided by United States taxpayers. Meanwhile, the private equity baron will have converted his carried interest windfall into the possession of a surplus, real estate or equities or the affection of his peers, which will only be the dearer for his ownership. Let us never forget to thank the United States taxpayer. And let us never do away with her. There is no more civilized and humane creature in the world.