Yes, quite a bit of tax, but property tax is also very high, sales tax is 19%, income tax is 45-49%. Taxes overall are much higher - I have lived and worked in many countries and taxes in the US were lowest of those countries.
And it does NOT include 'free' health care - we pay for that in Germany, contrary to what many here believe.
Gas prices have not dropped at all since start of summer here, although crude oil prices plummeted a few weeks ago.
I need to get gas in my car tomorrow and I am going to our local Stop and Shop and I will save $1.30 per gallon with my loyalty card. Now that will be the cheapest gas I have filled in my tank in a long time!!!
Just out our curiousity... for those who heat their homes with heating oil does anyone know current prices? We are on a budget plan and when they set our monthly prices for the year (back in July) they were "estimating" our payments based on oil at $4.59. Just wondering if it's actually that high still......