Depressing Statistics

What have you been doing for the last 3 ½ months?

According to the Tax Foundation, you’ve been working for the federal government. This April 23rd marks 2008's “Tax Freedom Day” – the day you stop working for Uncle Sam and start working for yourself (though in Minnesota we don’t actually get let off the hook until April 27th).

“‘Government continues to dominate the American taxpayer’s budget,’ said Tax Foundation president Scott Hodge. ‘Americans will still spend more on taxes in 2008 than they will spend on food, clothing and housing combined.’

“In 2008, Americans will work 74 days to afford their federal taxes and 39 more days to pay state and local taxes. Meanwhile, buying food requires 35 days of work, clothing 13 days, and housing 60 days. Other major categories are health and medical care (50 days), transportation (29 days), and recreation (21 days).”