[Thebaddog]

Between Cook County, City of Chicago, State of Illinois, and Federal taxes, my guess is that I cough up 50% of my income to all forms of government.

The only real question to me is how we all do so well when we give up so much. I think we really do have a modified form of socialism here in America. It works for me whenever a Republican is in the White House, but I really don't see the tide turning.

[kittymyrib]

Did you know that most serfs only had to cough up one-third to their landowners? They were ignorant and illiterate, though, while we are educated and vote for those who take away 50% of our income. Does this make sense?

[texastoo]

I think you will see the tide turning and it won't be long.

Down here on the south Texas border, there is alot of construction going on. The majority of it is health related, doctor offices, clinics, ect. There is more building going on now than I have seen in the last 10 years. So, yes, the government has created new temporary jobs.

Right now the government pays 75% of all the health care costs in the valley. IMHO, Health care costs will be the item that turns the tide as Americans will not be able to afford to pay for their insurance plus 75% to 80% of someone elses bills.