High taxation de-motivates both on a personal level and an economic one.

Low taxation stimulates investment and helps to raise the standard of living, resulting in a more contented citizen.

Many poor would not be so poor if the basic cost of living was relatively cheap, and they could live off the basic wage.
Additionally, if this could be arranged, they would need less in the way of supporting benefits, and taxation could also come down.

There should be no taxation on food, clothes or dying.

The burden of taxation should also be switched to VAT in the form of a purchase tax, which means that those with more money to buy things will pay more taxation.

Currently, there are far too many ways an individual can be taxed. We deserve a much simpler life, rather than being hounded at every turn to contribute to national waste.

To achieve all of this would not mean such great pain if the supporting beaurocracy of national governments and the Union itself. There are far too many people employed in work that does not produce real goods or services.
To be economically sound, it is imperative that non-jobs are replaced with jobs that bring in real income, and that will help to stimulate the economy.

At this point in the worst recession since the war, it is innovation and motivation that is required - It can be done with less intrusive government with the inherent waste, but more importantly taxation has to come down, so that companies can cut costs, including wages, without impacting the individual and still allow them a payrise.

It is time the EU tamed the evil of excessive taxation, and allowed the poor to live without handouts, and everybody else to retain more of their wages ..... it's not so difficult.