Some years ago I was visiting a partner company in Denmark. Congress was in the middle of a budget and tax fight then. One of my junior colleagues at dinner asked me why is there so much controversy and resistance about taxes in USA, when most people pay 20-22%? Long story short she said she pays nearly 45% in taxes, but in-lieu she doesn't have to worry about healthcare, her children's education, being taken care of her parents or herself when she is old - essentially cradle to grave service. Danish apparently wouldn't have it any other way.