The part of the equation that you left out is the fact that you'll have 23-25% more in your pocket to begin with, because your entire paycheck will be yours.  That's bound to have a tremendous psychological effect as well.

I think you're way off the mark on this one, Rob.  In this age of mass-marketing, you don't seriously believe that our media-hyped, consumer-driven society will suddenly stop spending its discretionary income, do you?  You and I both know that'll never happen.

Your point about the income tax is well-taken, however, and that is something that should make every American's blood boil.  The system is such that the government confiscates almost half of your money, "borrows" it for a year, and when you finally manage to get some of it back from them (without interest, I might add), you're actually happy.  What's wrong with this picture?

Go Steelers!

Scott