Why does thinking about taxes make me feel guilty or angry?

Both reactions make sense, and I don't think you should ignore them. Guilt often signals that some part of you knows you're capable of contributing more, or that you're benefiting from systems others built. That's not weakness—it's conscience. Anger might mean you see genuinely unjust distribution, where some carry far more burden than others, where the system isn't transparent, where your contribution isn't matched by those with far more. That deserves anger. The trap is letting either emotion paralyze you. I spent my life trying to think clearly even when my feelings were loud. What I found is this: name the feeling. Is it guilt because you're avoiding something you know is right? Or anger because the system actually is broken? These require different responses. Guilt might push you toward honest conversation with yourself about your own choices. Anger might push you toward advocacy and change. Don't run from either feeling. Instead, let it teach you something true about what you value and what you think needs fixing. That's where real ethical clarity begins.