Michael Novak observes the liberal game: The Liberal Game Made Obvious. It's based on the debate between Jonathan Chait and Ramesh Ponnuru in TNR (also see Ben Domenech's comments)
Novak asks some pertinent questions of the liberal mindset. Similar to those who put "Question Authority" bumper stickers, Novak questions the liberal authority. He questions whether liberals really want to help the poor; the view that the Left is composed of intellectuals, activists, and those not rich (i.e. that the represent the common man), and the view that they are superior in virtue (burdensome taxes are presented as an example of a lack of virtue).
And speaking of how taxes are not virtuous, here is another column on the subject from Wendy McElroy, Families Pay Price for Government Spending. I agree with her point of view. I'll consider taxes to be reasonable when families with two kids can own a home and only have to have one parent work (I don't have anything against working moms - just that I'd rather see them working by choice, and not necessity). I'd be in favor of a flat tax actually, and to those who say that's hard on the poor, my answer is: that's a good incentive to keep those taxes low.