Who mentioned EU? There's a broad mixture of different political approaches right across the EU. Some of the wealthier states do appear to have a strong social-democratic leaning but maybe that's just 'cause they can afford it?

A comprehensive socioeconomic fabric costs a lot to maintain. You have to have a base of taxpayers who are willing to pay it and who feel they get the value for their money.

The article. Also, those European countries don't have tax rates much larger (if at all) than the US. It's just that in the US, it gets wasted.

Oh but they do. You'll pay up to 2/3 of your income in taxes in Germany for instance.

Isn't the maximum percentage for singles with no kids in tax category 0, which is around 40%?

income tax yeah but there's a whole heap of levies and surcharges on top of that

Highest rate in Germany seems to be 45%.

Where'd you read that Wikipedia? My payslips from working in Germany beg to differ ...

I didn't mention the EU once in my comment, so I'm a bit confused.

It's a comment in response to an article comparing Europe and US?

So? I still didn't say the EU is collectivist or mention it at all. Both EU and the US have collectivist and individualist policies.