No they aren't. All you have to do is divide the total Federal tax revenue by the GDP and you get what they are taking in taxes. It is that simple. Everything else is either ignorance or misdirection. When all taxes, Federal, state and local are added up, the latest numbers I have seen are between 40% to 50% depending on local.
I must be one of the lucky ones. I get to keep a whole 55% of my earned income (not including state sales tax, gas tax or any other consumption tax.)
50% vs 57% ? Hardly good news - but have you added the additional govt 'mandates' that also drive up costs? We would probably be at 80% confiscation then!
Well - that is STILL socialistic confiscation and re-distribution of personal assets.
Even G_D only asks for a tithe - what give govt the audacity to claim to have a greater need than that?