On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 03:27:31 +0000, Calif Bill wrote:


California had a 3% sales tax
in my youth, about 40 years ago. Now it is 8.25% and they keep raising it
for every special desire. Was in Italy in October. VAT was 20%.

You are hitting on one of the major problems. Surprisingly, as a percent
of GDP, the federal tax burden has been rather constant, @ 18% give or
take. What hasn't been constant, has been the growth in state taxes.
I've heard many at the state level complain about the federal government
mandating programs, but not funding those programs. I don't know how true
that is, but it does seem the major growth in taxes has been at the state
level.

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/TaxFa...e.cfm?Docid=14