What is different now from 50 years ago is all the taxes combined. State, local, fed, and then the hidden taxes. We in have built taxes and fees through out everything we do from manufacturing to leisure activities. I don't remember what the % is but if you add all the taxes and fees we all pay it is way up there. ( around 45% of gross for the average wage earner I think but could be wrong ) When you hide taxes in product cost folks don't see them but kinda raises hell with jobs when competing with other countries as most don't take that approach.