> When I was in the US, I did actively attempt to diminish my tax contribution as much as legally possible out of disgust at what it was used for

Social security? Medicare?

The problem with avoiding taxes because of expenditures you think are bad is that you also reduce the pool available for things you think are good. Every country will do a mix of things you judge good, and things you judge bad.

> nobody is morally tainted for being forced to contribute a small slice to something evil

I agree.