And plus there is that approx. $500 prebate check that throws a wrench into just how much sales tax people are paying. I can tell you to the penny how much I have paid in federal income tax the last 5 years. I have no idea what so ever how much sales tax I have paid.
The question is when could you tell what you paid? Prior to paying the tax or after you waded through a 60K page tax code? btw: there is no way you can add up what you have paid in corporate tax....unless, like some, you believe that corporations actually pay taxes. And if you have an employer then did you ask him what he paid in taxes on your behalf (not just his half of SS/Medicare but unemployment tax, wage tax etc...)