You're welcome. I enjoy a good debate/conversation. I would be interested to see if a VAT tax would be feasible (if modeled after europe and in conjunction with lower corporate taxes along with basic needs exemptions). I also think that it could solve a number of environmental concerns connected to consumption and waste.

One of the things to note about taxes in most European countries is that while they have higher individual income tax rates they have a territorial taxation system and a lower corporate tax rate. How much lower depends on whether you are comparing multinationals or domestic companies in the US. They also have a rather high VAT tax compared to the US sales tax and higher capital gains tax.

In 2010 the UK was facing a high number of corporate inversions and companies leaving the UK. Since the UK changed to a territorial rate and started lowering corporate taxes the unemployment rate declined while the participation rate increased. Both of those things are important to note since the US has seen a decline in unemployment but we have not seen a significant increase in participation.

In 2014 someone in the top 1% in the UK took home 57.28% of their pay compared to someone in New York that took home 60.45%. On an average salary someone in the UK paid a tax rate of 24.9% compared to the US's 10.4%. So their tax rates are higher across the board and of course there are other apple to orange factors such as healthcare.

So while I wouldn't say all top earners in EU countries pay significantly more, I believe that the majority do. And more are likely to in the form of "voluntary" taxes such as the VAT.

How about tariffs on imports? Nothing as drastic as some idiots are calling for, but just enough to help level the playing field in some sectors the US can excel at and compete with when it comes to countries like China? While it might be a declining tax base in some instances as the US produces more goods, there will always be areas we do not excel at. Half a percent, one percent, would that generate tax revenue for a basic income along with some type of VAT? Maybe.