Take a look at the two pie charts reflecting expenditures for the Median American Family for 1958 and 1998. With technological and process advancements, the ratios of income spent on food declined from 21.4% in 1958 to 8.9% in 1998.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/prmedianfamily.html
The total tax burden increased from 17.9% in 1958 to 39% in 1998. The only other categories which show an increase are recreation and medical expenses (and other).
I would hazard a guess that the increase in recreation expenses is due to the numerous options currently available and that those of medical care and taxes reflect the inefficiencies and interference of government regulation and scope.