Governments playing tax games

If taxes are levied, they should be collected in a transparant and equitable manner. Taxes are not a tool for social activists, but city, state and federal tax collections follow byzantine rules that hand out tax preferences like candy. The worst behavior is seen when cities try to lure new businesses to their regions by offering huge tax breaks, thereby shifting the tax burden to current residents and business owners. Good government maintains the same low tax levels for all constituents in a transparant manner rather than placing uneven burdens according to the whims of bureaucrats.