Economist Stephen Moore has a message for American taxpayers: you're now shelling out more to the government than you are for the basics of daily life. In a post on X Wednesday, Moore highlighted a chart from the Committee to Unleash Prosperity showing that Americans paid an estimated $8.19 trillion in taxes in 2025, while spending roughly $7.39 trillion on food, clothing, and housing combined.
"Government has become so big and bloated that taxes cost more than life's basic necessities," Moore wrote. "Every American taxpayer should be outraged."
It's a stark comparison, and one that likely resonates with many who feel the tax bite more each year. The sentiment isn't just anecdotal. A Pew Research Center survey from April found that 60% of U.S. adults believe they pay more in federal taxes than is fair, up from 56% in 2023. The same survey showed lingering frustration over wealthy individuals and corporations dodging their tax obligations.
Affordability Remains a Major Concern
Taxes are one thing, but the broader cost of living is another. A report released Wednesday by the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation called affordability the "defining challenge" for economic mobility. The survey, which polled 30,000 Americans, found that 90% of respondents identified groceries and food prices as their biggest cost concern, ranking above housing and healthcare.
John-Paul Julien, a partner at McKinsey & Co. and co-founder of the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility, noted that people across income levels share a common worry: rising living costs are making it harder to get ahead.
The strain is showing in how people manage their budgets. A separate Urban Institute analysis found that many households are turning to debt to cover everyday food expenses. More than one-quarter of working-age adults who used credit cards to buy groceries either couldn't pay their balance in full or missed minimum payments, while about one in ten relied on buy now, pay later loans for grocery purchases. With grocery prices up 32% over the past five years, the pressure on household finances is undeniable.
Lawmakers Weigh Grocery Relief
In response to these affordability concerns, some lawmakers are pushing for targeted relief. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) has introduced the Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act, which would create a pilot program allowing participating states to provide eligible households with an additional $60 per month to buy fruits and vegetables.
The proposal comes amid broader worries about food costs. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll found that 66% of Americans said groceries had become unaffordable, including many households earning more than $100,000 annually. Shoppers are increasingly seeking lower-cost grocery options as household budgets remain under pressure.
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