For years, I've heard politicians sat that we can't afford the social sevrice of the European nations—like national health care and state-funded higher educaion— because we'd have to pay exorbitant taxes like those nations do.  But the fact is, marginal tax rates in the U.S. are much higher.

The highest federal income tax bracket is 35%.  But to that, add your retirement tax of 15.3%, for a total of 50.3%.  True, if you're an employee, your employer pays half.  But does anyone really believe your wages aren't lower because the employer has to pay half of your retirement tax?

Now suppose you live in California.  In addition to these federal taxes, you'll pay state income tax of 9.3%, bringing the total income tax to 59.6%. 

How does this compare with, say, our buddies in France?  The maximum income tax rate in France is only 48.09%.  Social taxes (comparable to our Social Security Tax) are another 8%, for a total of 56.09%.  In England, the max tax rate is 40%, plus National Insurance (if I understand the chart correctly) of 8%, for total of 48%.  So let's review our highest marginal income tax rates:

England 48%
France 56.09%
U.S. 59.6%

Marginal tax rates in the U.S. are clearly higher.  But we're not finished yet: if you live in Los Angeles, California, you'll also pay 8.25% sales tax.  Of course in LA, half your income goes for housing, so you won't pay sales tax on all of your income.  But even if a third of your income buys taxable goods, you've added another 2.75% tax, bringing your total taxes to over 62% of your income!

Next time a politican warns that his opponent wants to tax you like the Europeans, tell him, "I wish!"  Then ask him (or her), why do we pay so much more and get so much less?