In practice it works. Sales tax averages around 5% in US states, and over 20% in Europe. When I lived in the states, everybody knew what their local sales tax r

In practice it works. Sales tax averages around 5% in US states, and over 20% in Europe. When I lived in the states, everybody knew what their local sales tax rate was off the top of their head, and most knew the last time it was raised. Here in northern Europe, nobody really knows. Out of sight, out of mind.