I have no interest in comparing our country to other countries. My comments only relate to previous decades here in the US.
Compared to decades past - we do pay a huge amount of tax. You may think that it is justified or that we should be paying more and getting those “other services” those other countries have. That is a different conversation that I’m not interested in having with you, or anyone on THIS forum.
As for previously higher US tax rates, that is meaningless because in those days the value of the dollar was much higher and even fewer people were at those levels on the tax chart.
The graduated US income tax chart has only been changed about a dozen times in 100 years. 1/3 of those changes have been to lower rates rather than raise them - but the very nature of a graduated tax is socialist. Why should those who work harder pay a larger percentage? And all the government need do to raise taxes is inflate the currency until everyone is higher up the chart.
Don’t believe me? In 1919 less than 1/2 of 1% of the US population made enough money to even have to file a tax return. And look at it now.
Sheldon