To be clear, I would gladly pay those rates if it meant my money was actually going to something other than defense contractor graft.

Please come in Romania, then cry for every Euro you pay in taxes, you will get almost nothing out of it. Please go to UK and wait 3 to 6 months for a doctor appointment. Go in the Netherlands and see how is to be sent home when you have pneumonia because they are busy treating some overdosed drug addicts (real case, happened to a relative). Go to Russia (and I cannot tell more). They are all in Europe.

The difference is that healthcare is paid on top of the 25% (or higher), in addition to many other public services that are provided for in many European countries.