A few days ago, I received a campaign mailer from my local Republican state representative. Well, technically I didn’t receive it, it was addressed to my fiancée Bo’s previous name, which doesn’t legally exist anymore – and even when it did, belonged to a registered Democrat. So that made me a little cranky, to begin with, not to mention the candidate is an absolute doppelganger for my late and most beloved Grampy, a proud union member of the IBEW.

The candidate in question has a 0% legislative score from the Maine AFL-CIO, which, while not unusual for conservatives, still bugs me. But what I really found ridiculous was the headline of the mailing, which proudly proclaimed: “A New Direction!” (Exclamation point and everything!) And then right underneath it: “Reduce State Income Taxes.” I rolled my eyes so hard I got a headache.

A Republican wanting to cut taxes? Not exactly groundbreaking material. They’ve been focused on that for at least 40 years. It’s the party’s answer to practically every social ill or issue they encounter. Economy’s good? Cut taxes! Economy’s bad? Cut more taxes! Tax cuts, are good for what ails ya.

I get my paycheck biweekly, every two weeks. In my last paycheck, I had a total of $329.83 taken out in taxes. Of that amount, $110.38 is for Social Security/OASDI. That’s federal, so our state representatives can’t do much about it. Besides, what am I going to do, ask the government to cut off what in many cases is the only financial support senior citizens have? A total of $25.82 goes to Medicare. Again, that’s a federal number. Also, 66 million Americans, mostly folks over 65 or with disabilities, are insured through Medicare, without which they would be torn to financial shreds by the for-profit health insurance marketplace.

Then $130.63 is federal withholding. Again, not much our local reps can do about that one. And finally, $63 is taken out for Maine state tax. Now that is certainly within our Legislature’s ability to cut. And certainly, an extra $63 every two weeks in my paycheck would be nice. But what would be sacrificed so that I can keep an extra $63? State funding for my local school system? Medicaid coverage and reimbursement? The state police? (OK, that budget I would be fine with trimming.)

I also pay $81.46 out of that paycheck for my health insurance. As plans go, it’s not too bad; I’m sure plenty of folks have a worse premium. But if my job goes, even if it’s through no fault of my own, the health insurance goes as well at the end of the month. And that’s what gets me. The government could cut all of my income taxes, and give me back a full $164.91 weekly, and none of it would matter if I lost my job, lost my health insurance, and then had a medical emergency. The reality is $164 isn’t going to do much for a $100,000 hospital bill. I would much rather we all pool our funds together to create a stronger social safety net for every citizen, rather than cutting taxes for people who already have more than enough money.

If you’re someone who has enough money that you’ll never have to worry about affording the essentials of living (housing, health care) or someone who truly believes that working hard will ensure your success in life, I guess cutting taxes would seem desirable. But like most millennials, I’ve only ever experienced employment as incredibly precarious. I’ve been laid off from a job as part of a 20% across-the-board company cut because profit margins were in danger, and I’ve been fired for needing to take too many bathroom breaks after the removal of a kidney.

You know what came to the rescue in those few months between jobs? MaineCare. I qualified for MaineCare and I knew if something horrible happened, I wouldn’t be alone and entirely uninsured. I want that for everyone. Taking that away isn’t worth $63.

Some people I talk to seem to take taxes really personally. Like they’re offended by the concept or something – you know, people who feel like the government is stealing their money. I don’t really get it. Sure, it’s annoying. Sure, I’d like to have more money. But we’re trying to have a society, here. We all have to chip in. Besides, at least when it comes to government I can vote on who is representing me and how those funds are being spent. Can’t say the same for the checks I send off to pay my mortgage, my electric bill, or any of my other demands and dues.