Effective rate makes sense when it's just about income. If you add some assets, and add property taxes + cap gains, US total tax burden is almost equal on the same level of income.

- ie, the commie level wealth confiscation.

Sure, you can make double income in the US.

But if you retire, focus on family, or just drop the job income stream for whatever reason, then your total tax burden in US is ~4x to the German one.

For sure, US is more dynamic, and provides better opportunities. But you're still their tax slave.