Every year, the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation and the Center for Fiscal Accountability calculate Cost of Government Day. This is the day on which the average American has earned enough gross income to pay off his or her share of the spending and regulatory burdens imposed by government at the federal, state, and local levels.
In 2010, Cost of Government Day fell yesterday, on August 19. Today is the first day you stopped working for Uncle Sam and began working for yourself. Americans must labor 231 days out of the year just to meet all costs imposed by government – 8 days later than last year and a full 34 days longer than 2008.
In other words, in 2010 the cost of government consumes 63.41 percent of national income.
The Cost of Government Day also details how the states fared – Alaska has the earliest Cost of Government Day this year, falling on July 28, while Connecticut taxpayers will labor until September 17 to pay for the cost of their government.
Cost of Government Day serves as a tangible reminder of the growing burden government places on taxpayers. Click here to read the entire report, which includes case studies on the various policies that have contributed to pushing this year’s Cost of Government day to August 19, 2010.
Help promote Cost of Government Day by linking to www.costofgovernmentday.com and using the hashtag #cogd10 if you’re on Twitter.
The Americans for Tax Reform Foundation is a 501c(3) research and educational organization.