[briandear]

If everywhere had a flat 10% tax, there’d be a lot less tax avoidance and likely a net gain in tax revenues for most countries. That 10% number, I made it up, but it’s illustrative. My point is that when a country feels entitled to 30% or more, that’s a large enough number that it drives avoidance. In my personal life, I don’t sweat a 8% sales tax, but a 20% tax? That would affect my buying decisions.

[petre]

Most governments will naturally rise taxes until a revolution happens. The threshold is around 45% if we look at the recent Paris yellow vest protests. Some governments (republicans?) are smart enough to cut taxes before that happens. I agree 20% sales tax is outright theft. Switzerland has low sales and corporate taxes but high income and property tax. They're doing fairly well for a small country.