Termites or some kind of blood-sucking parasite? Something bigger than fleas, maybe ticks? The effect is different, and ones are meant for i.e. buildings and the other for living thing.

I see that as taxes, imposed by some private entity instead of the government, and without potential benefits for you as some taxes may be.

And if is that role, there are more direct imposed players that somewhat suck money to let the system work, starting with some banking and insurance.