[Hugh R]

Because the average American thinks they pay their fair share of taxes and haven't got a clue. If the Feds came to you and said BTW, in addition to the $1,400 you paid in income taxes (national average) you're going to get a supplemental bill for $100,000 for national debt when it comes due, Joe Blow would say WTF? Most people don't pay a fraction of their "per capita" share of the national debt, but believe that they do.