Quoting Tim May (tcmay@got.net):
(Many estimate the tax burden to be in this ballpark, considering that income to non-governmental agencies is taxed at a high rate (usually the max, 50 % combined federal and state), then the income and dividends to employees and shareholders is further taxed at a high rate (30-45%). Tack on property taxes, utility taxes, 8% sales taxes, energy taxes, special use permit taxes, boat taxes, luxury taxes....)
That's quite an impressive haul. How do they do it?
These united states have allowed themselves to become something far, far worse than what the colonists were revolting against.
A kleptocracy, with a Potemkin facade of freedom.
Well, Tim, it isn't a facacde so much as a prevalent attitude. As far as I can tell, the majority of people play a big game of make-believe. They act as though they are free while voluntarily limiting their behaviour to a very narrow range. Fortunately, there's enough entertainment out there to keep everyone happy. Regards, Steve -- Cephalopodia is the key insight.