CompuServe Messages

Well, a lot of those taxes really do go for services not paid for out of pocket, such as medical, and nations do need trade reps, foreign embassies, things like that, and there ain't no free lunches. Naturally at least ten percent of all taxation goes for waste, abuse, and frills for the Highest, but if you can keep it to 10% in this day and age you're probably ahead of the game. On paper I'm going to be paying close to 43% in federal and state taxes under Clintonomics, but I have a superb tax man and somehow I wind up paying far less in the end. Still, I have to pay horrendously for things I should not have to pay for in a civilized country, such as comprehensive medical coverage for me and my family as well as a percentage to pay for all the folks who can't afford it, and that's out of pocket. I would wager that, benefit-for-benefit, service-for-service, we aren't paying that much different per year. Just keep thinking of Denmark. They are at a 62% AVERAGE income tax rate. The Swedes actually have a Maximum Income after which it's 100% OR MORE taxed. And their service levels are no better than yours. The rationale behind high cigarette taxes isn't to raise money; it's to get you to quit smoking.