I think the U.S. tax rate is comparable with the world average. In some countries, like Belgium and Germany your tax rate is 50% of your wage. I think the difference is that those countries have more social programs? I dunno.
[url]http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/tax_tot_tax_wed_sin_wor-total-tax-wedge-single-worker[/url]
All I know is that right now I'm thankful right now for the unemployment benefits I'm getting from the government. I've paid taxes all my life, and finally am getting the help I badly need from the system I've supported all these years. They're too low to live on of course, but at least I can buy food. I don't know what I'd do without them actually. The visions of moving back in with my parents at age 37 are too unimaginable.