Various Questions

[militarist]

Actually, during initial expansion, immidiately before war and during war, I believe that it's better to overtax then undertax without thinking, if, of course you use patrullers which can't be effectively used in fighting. Because it's better to have 5% less pop in provinces, but still have these provinces unnder your rulership

[chrispedersen]

It is common (and good play) to overtax the first couple of turns to get necessary commanders, troops etc. A good start more than pays of usually vs. slightly more money over the life of the game.