The revolt that started in the late 70's has not ended. People hate taxes. While most people like to see that those who are less fortunate are helped, they are also tired of being the ones who are forced to do the helping.

dmk

An old Frenchman in the 1850's, Frederic Bastiat wrote a wonderful essay called The Law in which he calls all taxes "plunder." And that the law rightly should only protect the liberty and property. Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom" is another economic evaluation of socialism and income redistribution coupled with central government.

I believe the internet is playing a role in opening up these ideas to the vast population that wasn't earlier interested in thinking that deeply about economic issues. Now, there are libertarians, and conservatives leaning toward libertarianism everywhere.

In my more ignorant youth we called it "robbing Peter to pay Paul."