Thoughts on Taxes

Taxes are going up while people are getting laid off and business is slowing down. When the economy struggles, why does the government need more operating money? Even in the case where it doesn't seem obvious, such as the CTA (where ridership has increased more than 10% in the past year) who needs to increase fares to meet "operating budget".

This leads me to a question...why do service fees increase when the demand increases for public services?

The purpose of public services is to provide a service that the public needs and the private sector cannot offer. It is not supposed to turn a profit, but is supposed to be provided by the government for its operating costs. How, when ridership increases, does this call for higher fees? There is an increase in revenue, so shouldnt that compensate for the increase in funds needed? Uhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!