As we approach Labor Day, taxpayers across the country should be rejoicing – maybe.
As of today, average Americans have earned enough gross income to pay their share of the spending and regulatory burden imposed by federal, state and local governments. In other words, it takes 231 days –or 63 percent of the national income –goes toward funding the government and all the regulations it imposes.
To commemorate the auspicious occasion, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) released its “Cost of Government Day” report.
The Washington Post posted on Wednesday an interactive graphic showing taxpayers’ wallets will be impacted if the Democrat-controlled Congress allows the Bush tax cuts to expire at the end of this year.
ATR’s report showed that the number of days required to carry the tax burden has increased by 32 days in less than two years, as a direct result of the economic “recovery” and “stimulus” packages rushed through by Congress.
The report breaks the cost of government into four components, showing that in 2009, average workers labored:
- 104 days to pay for federal spending,
- 52 days to pay for state and local spending,
- 48 days to pay for federal regulations, and
- 26 days to pay for state and local regulations.
On a state-by-state analysis, Connecticut ranked the highest in costs. Residents worked 260 days – 29 days beyond the national average – toward tax burdens.
In contrast, Alaska had the lowest governmental burden, requiring only 209 days.
Brian Garst, with BigGovernment.com, puts it this way:
“You have slaved away for the majority of the year to pay for the bailouts, subsidies, vote buying, earmarks and redistribution schemes that make up the majority of spending by governments at all levels, in addition to the price of burdensome regulations.
“If Congress returns for a lame-duck session to pass destructive cap-and-trade and card check legislation, you can bet that Cost of Government Day will arrive even later next year.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Washington Post interactive graphic on how the Bush-era tax cuts affect you.
Download the “Cost of Government Day” report.
“Cost Of Government Components.”
“State-By-State Analysis.”
“Toward an Earlier Cost of Government Day.”
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