Francesco of Naples

Reading about ancient Greece and Rome it's clear that taxes were once used as a way to promote and build democracy.

Taxes no longer serve this purpose; a case can be made now that taxes perform a disservice to democracy as it is practiced in the contemporary world. 

Too much is concentrated in the corporation which in turn has been granted the sovreignty of the individual; but the corporation is not individual, is a collective at best.

Francesco, pictured, is a cab-driver in Naples. He loves his city, but has thoughts and feelings similar to those in the USA who distrust government and politicians.

Before taking Francesco's tour of the city, I spent a half day in the Museo Archaelogico Nazionale among its treasures of ancient Greek and Roman art. As I walked through gallery after gallery, showcasing in their modest way the splendors of western civilization, I imagined that Mary Beard or Ingrid Rowland were taking me by the hand and guiding me, just as Francesco had on the tour of his beloved Naples.

If I'd had this opportunity as a younger man there's no doubt I'd have been a much better human being. But I didn't, and still managed to become what I am.