The 70% may not be all that fantastic. After all there is income tax on money you earn and then there are all sorts of secondary taxes on money you spend. There is vat at 20% on a lot of stuff, and there is duty on fags, booze and fuel. Don't forget that fuel duty increases the cost of goods you buy that have been transported, and therefore increases the vat due and stuff brought in from abroad is liable to duty from the importers. Some stuff you buy will have involved multiple taxings. Some counties charge a data tax on phone and computer usage!