It is too bad so few Americans understand basic arithmetic. Two percent tax on your earned income leaves you with 98 cents (per dollar) to spend as you see fit. A 24 percent tax leaves you with 76 cents to spend. Regardless of other influencing variables, which would you rather have in your pocket 98 cents or 76 cents? Or, to put it another way, who would you rather spend your hard-earned money - you or the politicians and bureacrats? As for out government being "humanitarian" - just have a good read of the so-called Patriot Act and its proposed successor. As for government being "relatively free of corruption by the rich and powerful" - who the heck do you think controls the White House and Congress and is constantly ripping off the taxpayers? Dick Cheney's friends excepted, of course!

Why is Mr Trafficant not in the White House? Smarten up America - especially those in Texas and Virginia! The only thing 'progressive' about the progressive income tax is that it progressively increases over time. Soon all persons, except for the favored few and the private trusts are paying better than half of their income in taxes - Welcome to Serfdom USA! P.S. I understand that in Canada total taxes (federal, state, and municipal) now exceed 65% of the average person's earned income!

Which came first? Man or the state? The state is the invention of man. And, just like Frankenstein turned on his inventor, so the state is the most dangerous weapon of mass destruction now in use against mankind. And its frontline users are the bureaucrats and politicians - and those who control them behind the scenes greasing the skids for the average citizen. Hello there Five Sisters!

A most astute observation. He describes the Great American Pastime - wasting time! By which I mean, we rush around seeking the good things in life - and missing the best things in life.