think of it this way. In Europe etc, you pay higher income taxes but then you get these benefits. In US, you pay a bit lower income taxes but then you pay these

think of it this way. In Europe etc, you pay higher income taxes but then you get these benefits. In US, you pay a bit lower income taxes but then you pay these additional taxes like property tax. Did I mention that some states in US charge property tax even to keep a car ? (looking at you Virginia :)). But then we don't have things like VAT etc. So it evens out somewhere I guess. Except healthcare situation. That is a topic for a separate discussion.