Some very interesting posts here!
To modify the famous Churchill quote: "America is the worst country on earth, until you consider the alternatives."
I agree with the sentiment that US taxes are outrageous - especially when you consider the overall effective tax burden of federal, state, sales, estate, inheritence, corporate, Soc.sec., Medicare, property, gas, and telephone taxes, and the myriad of other hidden taxes and the fees associated with any government function... I don't have official numbers, but I'd guess that the effective rate is well above 70% of every dollar actually earned.
but from what I know, its even worse in the EU countries. And even if there are some countries with less burdensome tax systems, you have to consider their financial infrastructure and political stability, and in that regard the US can't be matched. If you don't have that stability, then the taxes don't matter (e.g., ask investors in S. Africa who've seen the country fall apart and the Rand fall 40+%, or in Argentina over the past month).
JMHO.