This can be complicated. Much easier is to compare the FINAL result - all government budgets combined (in case of US, federal, state, local etc ) and compare it to GDP.
The US government budget is about 34% of GDP, state and local government budgets are about 17%. It adds up little above 50%. In Sweden the government budget (there is not state/local versus federal) and is little above 50%.
Comparing the government spending in Sweden to the only one layer of US government is misleading to say the least.
This is my final reply to educate you, so read it well, and if you decide to reply, at least cite some evidence of your assertions, as they are incorrect and dangerous to you ability to reason and have opinions on the matter of economics.
You should have studied the URL that I cited. It spells it out. Or, read this one: http://www.eurosceptic.com/sources_of_information/articles/EUROPE_ISN'T_WORKING.htm
It spells it out also. As I said, you are plain wrong; the USA is much less taxed than Sweden and much of Europe as well. For that, our GDP is much higher and has done well of late. Sweden proves the rule of high taxation for it has lagged since 1970 compared to USA.
You have me on a ping list and I often read your comments but now I shall read them for the facts that you assert in making conclusions.
If the URL doesn't link you may have to type it in.
The percentage of the federal take on the GDP is 19.8% per the federal government, where the GDP is $11.75 trillion and the budget expenditure (including borrowing) is $2.33 trillion. So you are wrong again on your assertions. So if indeed the state government take is 17% or so, the numbers I cited ( by way of web sites) are nearly on the money, so to speak.