with a gentleman vacationing from Germany and asked him some questions about Germany's taxes and health care. He seemed to be happy with his health care overall. There are waits for some kinds of care but nothing of any great concern.

He did however immediately follow up the health care topic with the tax burden to pay for all their social programs. Several times he mentioned that the German "tax freedom day" was July 15th. Seven and a half months of work just to pay his taxes. They pay a value added tax of 19%, a 5.5% reunification tax ( to cover the costs of uniting east and west Germany) and are taxed 8% to support the churches (which I think you can sign out of).

The social system in Germany is quite liberal he said, but they "pay dearly for it." Their "welfare" systems covers all of the living expenses for immigrants yet doesn't allow them to work unless they have "green cards". Like here they have generations living off the taxpayers. He also said that most of the surronding countries have even higher tax rates that Germany.

According to him most people work a "Black" (under the table) job to have something to spend that they are not taxed on. Not surprising when a glass of beer costs $8, from what he said, due to the taxes.

So, do we in America want a government that taxes us more than they do now, to provide a European style social government, or do we want a less invasive, more Free to Choose government? I vote for my own decisions on where to spend my earnings, not the government to say where my money should be spent, and tax the hell out of me to do it.