[Sherman Logan]

As I understand it, most taxes in Europe are collected at the local level, so the proportion of regional (state) and local taxes to total taxes is a lot higher "here." Could be wrong, I'm not that familiar with Europe.

That does not address the Federal excise taxes, cell phone and other Federal telecommunications taxes/fees, and other hidden taxes.

All of which the "untaxed" pay equally with the "taxed."

[Smokin' Joe]

I'm in North Dakota. My Federal Income Taxes are well over 5 times what I pay in State Income, sales, and property taxes.

I'm not sure how Europe got into the conversation.

Do Obamaphone people pay for a universal access fee (to buy cell phones for the poor)? I doubt it. Maybe a local cable franchise fee. I'm not sure how much they shell out for excise taxes on tires, but maybe the excise taxes on liquor even that out.