As a software engineer in the UK whose company also has a branch in Detroit, I know that the Detroit guys are getting nearly double what I am, for the same level of experience, the same job and the same benefits. And comparable engineers in Ford are getting 2.5 times my income, although with less holidays per year.

Re Dave Willams' comment, that's roughly what we pay in Britain. The average figure in the UK is 29% of earnings on income-related tax - however then we have 17.5% sales tax on everything, 500% tax on petrol/gasoline (over 80% of the retail price is tax). Plus every other tax you've listed up there as well (property, alcohol, cigs, etc).

Graham.