The group Americans for Tax Reform has identified at least 30 different taxes which work their way into the prices of consumer goods. The proportion of taxes involved is startling.

• Within the price of a $1.14 loaf of bread, taxes amount to 35 cents -- or 30 percent of the total.
• For a 50 cent can of soda, the real tax-excluded cost would be only 32 cents.

• Some 72 percent of the cost of a 750 ml bottle of liquor goes to cover taxes.

• Taxes on an average $80 per night hotel room average $34.40 -- or 43 percent.

The list goes on.

• On a $159 airline ticket, taxes make up 43 percent of the price -- or $63.60.

• On an average monthly electric bill of $153.09, some 25.7 percent -- or $39.35 -- is due to taxes.

• Some 54 percent of the cost of a $1.33 gallon of gasoline goes for taxes.

It all boils down to a consumer/taxpayer choice between more government or more bread.

Source: Editorial, "Taxes, Taxes and More Taxes," Washington Times, August 25, 1996.