Been wonderin' about something, and I am sure this is the place to ask.

Folks, especially on the right side, say that government should be run like a business. Which seems to mean to live within your means.

What does a business do when costs raise or demand goes up? I think they raise prices (eg gas at the pump). heck, they raise those prices when folks even think costs might go up.

Government provides services: Roads, military, police, fire, parks, resource management, social services, etc. Not to defend those, but somebody must want them. Taxes are the "cost" of providing those services. So, if demand goes up, such as wars, natural disaster repair, simple road maintenance, border security, and so on they need to raise revenue.

The question, it seems to me, is not revenue but how it is used. If something is a function of gubmint, then we as members of a civilized society need to pay for it. If we don't want a program, then the folks we elect and put in various public offices need to eliminate the programs.