willybfriendly - 1:14 am on May 9, 2006 (gmt 0)

You have to target the tax to the goods as closely as possible otherwise you'd be creating even more inefficiencies/making more of society worse off than necessary.

The same argument used by retired people who vote against school bonds. "I don't have any kids in school. Why should I have to pay."

Many examples of this (il)logic.

Of course, on the other extreme we have tobacco taxed to provide health care for children.

If eavesdropping serves a valid public need, there is no good reason that the public, in general, should not share the burden.

But, that is a big "IF" - i.e. that eavesdropping serves a valid public need.

WBF