Wars have been started over less.

If the people in this country had any spine....

When I get my paycheck, Uncle Sam rapes my employer and myself. The state gets their cut, too. They really love me when I work overtime.

When I buy gas, I pay only for the fumes and 90%? is taxes.

My $1 pack of cigarettes are taxed with a smoking $2.50+ (to discourage minors from buying them).

At the hardware store I get nailed with 7% sales tax.

On my grocery store receipt, I eat a 2% food tax, 6.75% non-food tax (of which 4.25% goes to the state and 2.50% goes to the county).

Vacations are more comforting, since I can count on a hefty hotel tax which will be billed per night and varies from state to state.

Although I'm still paying on a modest home, I proudly own an an ever increasing property tax bill of about $500/year to the city/county each year for "protection".

Then there's a vehicle tax bill for about $40/year per car and $28/year per license tag renewal. The city/county cops write me a reminder if I forget.

Funny thing happened when I took my dogs to the doc for their shots. The city tax office fetched the vet's records and billed me for $10 per dog!

All I can say is that I sure am glad I don't get all the government I pay for!!

[edit on 2/1/2007 by HaveSeen4Myself]

Unless posted in most contests you are always liable for the taxes. Most game-shows usually say that you are liable for anything you win. Remember when Oprah gave her entire audience new cars? She ended up paying the taxes later but it was causing quite a few of those women some problems. I hope the guy was at least able to transfer the ticket to someone else for some cash at least. That would really suck to have to give up such a prize and not get anything out of it in the end.