The Laffer Curve suggests that there is a maximum level of taxation beyond which increases in the tax rate do not generate additional revenue. (Also sometimes called the "Sheriff of Nottingham paradox": raising taxes on people with nothing does not yield more money)

I was suggesting that there are certain government programs that incur a cost to operate incur a greater cost to cease operating. They generate a net positive on the money spent. Cutting them for "austerity" is foolish.