You make a valid point; however, like I said before NOT all cops are the same. I used to live in a small town in Alabama, god knows those cops did their job and they did it RIGHT.
Sure, they catch people for speeding, but that's their job. Sure, they catch people for weed, well pot is on state and federal levels, so they have to do something about it, they can't just let every high pothead go around driving. Put yourself in the cops' shoes and you'll feel much different.
Are there bad cops? sure. Just as there are bad people, there are bad people that become bad cops. However, overall, I give the policeforce respect, as they do put their life on the line - small or big town.
Cops don't raise your taxes, that's complete nonsense. Criminals raise your taxes more then cops. Do you know what the US government spends cleaning up meth labs per year? LOL, only if you knew the scale of the problem. That's where the taxes get raised. You got 10 meth labs within 50miles of each other in TN, what are you going to do? you have to clean them up. The cost per lab can be 100s of thousands to MILLIONS! that's right, some SUPER-labs can cost up to $2mil USD to decontaminate.
Sure, the ludicrous notion of blaming a cop for raising your taxes by wearing something to protect his life is great to say. But, I'll put you in his seat and you'd have 10BP vest in your back seat and 2 on you just to protect your ass. Heck, I know I would, my life is #1.
Mr.X