Some studies today suggest that Americans are paying 50% or more of their income in taxes each year (federal, state, local, etc)¹

Economist Daniel J. Mitchell observed that: “[Medieval serfs] only had to give the lord of the manor a third of their output and they were considered slaves. So what does that make us?” (Emphais mine.)

Good question.

¹For example, this Cato Institute study from 1998 placed the tax burden at 36%.  However, the study did not take into account property, sales, vehicle, and other taxes that are not witheld from employees’ paychecks.