How to Satisfy the State's Growing Appetite?

"The shadow economy is perceived in society as a normal phenomenon. This is particularly pronounced in countries where the quality of state institutions and the services they provide is low, and consequently the level of trust in state power is also low. Moreover, the benefit gained from the shadow economy is immediate, whereas the benefit received from the state is indirect, collective and usually deferred in time."
- Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia

"But why does no one complain about the fact that a great many of our country's residents do not pay taxes - and not just a little, but in full? It is obvious that the state lacks money - for roads, defence, education, etc. It is also obvious that there is no real demand in society either for more efficient public administration or for lower taxes."
- M.J.

"Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other."
- R. Reagan

"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it."
- K. Marx

1. Abolish the right to privacy. So that not only the State Revenue Service, but anyone could know both their neighbour's salary level and look into their bank account, and could also come in and check whether a new piece of furniture or, for example, a plasma television has appeared.
2. Generously reward snitching. For every suspicious transaction reported, if it turns out to be sufficiently "grey", pay the informant 10% of the transaction uncovered.
3. Provide by law for severe punishment for anyone who questions the productivity of state/municipal institutions. Coming to work is already a sign of productivity. Moreover, following the recent ECJ ruling in case C-266/14: the very act of coming to work must be paid for by the employer.
4. Introduce censorship for the media. Either a criminal offence exists or it does not - no need to tease with "possibly". And in general, one should only write about the positive, since it is clear to everyone that only those who do nothing make no mistakes.
5. Introduce a "special taxes" law. If the defence minister takes a fancy to Mistral ships for 1.1 billion EUR, then under this law every resident of the state would be obliged to pay 550 EUR per head.
6. Labour camps. People from all over are crying out - give us work! Which they are clearly ready to do without pay or for little pay, since, as it happens, the slogan is not supplemented with a clause about remuneration. They would be particularly effective as labour camps for debtors.
7. The mushroom-picking tax should be paid not by the mushroom picker but by the forest owner. The state calculates the average yield of mushrooms, berries and snails and obliges the forest owner to pay in advance. The owner can later recover these payments by demanding fair compensation from the mushroom pickers.

So, I didn't understand - what is all this grumbling about?! The state needs money. A lot of money. Full stop! Don't like it? - go to Afghanistan or Somalia - there are no taxes there at all, you can live like a king.

P.S. The text is entirely fictional, partly based on historical events, and bears no relation to reality or intentions. The aim is to illustrate and remind that not all means are acceptable for achieving an end.