Congratulations, California! You're Almost Done Working for the Government. This Year.

Just in time for the weekend, the Orange County Register reports this depressing statistic: according to Americans for Tax Reform, Californians will work for federal, state, and local government until August 18 this year. In other words, the total burden of taxation at all levels of government mean that we'll work, on average, the equivalent of 230 days in 2011 for the benefit of the government, before a dime enters our own pockets.

If you're looking for a silver lining, the only one available has to do with the 1% drop in income, sales, and vehicle taxes: because our taxes dropped slightly in July, "Cost of Government Day" came 9 days earlier this year than it could have. Other than that, though, there are no silver linings. So, raise a toast next Thursday to the few months of economic liberty you'll be able to enjoy, before you go back to indentured servitude.