In case you don't understand the American tax system: In the US we pay income tax. That is, a percentage (a large percentage) of my income goes directly to th

In case you don't understand the American tax system: In the US we pay income tax. That is, a percentage (a large percentage) of my income goes directly to the federal government. In addition to this, when goods I buy that are manufactured in other countries are imported, there is a tax levied against them. I was using the passport thing as an example of "poor marketing" on behalf of the US Federal government because my perception is that I already did pay for it.