I would argue US federal taxes are not particularly onerous. Only half of taxpayers are liable for federal income tax at all!

The govt does many things its populace hates, but they maintain deniability and point fingers in many directions. Unfortunately, people are stupid, busy and disorganised, but USians still doing better than most.

Strong state governments can only survive long where the Federal govt does not have an effective monopoly on force. Or where the Federal politicians slavishly imitate a foreign govt that does not.