Taxes around the world

[Respenus]

I know your arguments, I've read them, even though I have not replied to them. You say rape, I say I sleep easy at night knowing my health bill, not matter the cost or the complexity of the procedure will be paid; that even though I may lose my job, I shall have something to feed myself and in the future my family; I know that my children won't have to pay to receive excellent education, as best as Slovenia can provide, or any other European state can (England and Wales being the odd ones in the bunch) and that I rest assured that I shall have at least something to put into my mouth in my elder days, even though it might not be luxurious if I don't take care of it myself.

Does it cost a lot? It does. Is it unnerving at time? You can bet it is. Has it made me a happier man? You can count on that.

[August]

Originally Posted by Respenus

I know your arguments, I've read them, even though I have not replied to them. You say rape, I say I sleep easy at night knowing my health bill, not matter the cost or the complexity of the procedure will be paid; that even though I may lose my job, I shall have something to feed myself and in the future my family; I know that my children won't have to pay to receive excellent education, as best as Slovenia can provide, or any other European state can (England and Wales being the odd ones in the bunch) and that I rest assured that I shall have at least something to put into my mouth in my elder days, even though it might not be luxurious if I don't take care of it myself.

Does it cost a lot? It does. Is it unnerving at time? You can bet it is. Has it made me a happier man? You can count on that.

Good i'm glad you're happy. Allow us to do things our own way and we'll be happy too.

[Kapitan]

august is right if it aint broke dont fix it simplez

However it is good to have a nationalised health service but it costs billions for us brits each year which means other things get put on hold where as the american system is you must have healthcare insurance to pay for your medical stuff the money that may fund the health care service could be put to other things.

[August]

Originally Posted by Kapitan

august is right if it aint broke dont fix it simplez

However it is good to have a nationalised health service but it costs billions for us brits each year which means other things get put on hold where as the american system is you must have healthcare insurance to pay for your medical stuff the money that may fund the health care service could be put to other things.

Thanks Kapitan.

For the record i'm not philosophically opposed to nationalized health care, I just know that it's not going to be run efficiently, it will be riddled with abuse, it will end up costing us more than private health care, and it is a spectacularly bad time economically to be trying to implement it.

[goldorak]

Originally Posted by August

Thanks Kapitan.

For the record i'm not philosophically opposed to nationalized health care, I just know that it's not going to be run efficiently, it will be riddled with abuse, it will end up costing us more than private health care, and it is a spectacularly bad time economically to be trying to implement it.

Just like the military. And it doesn't cost as much.
Maybe just maybe the US should spend a little less on military affairs and invest a little bit more on its citizens. And no, downgrading your military will not bring about the end of the world.
You know why you won the cold war don't you ? Not because of military supremacy but because your adversary went backrupt. And if you continue spending like there is no tomorrow the US will experience the same fate as the old USSR.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by goldorak

Just like the military. And it doesn't cost as much.
Maybe just maybe the US should spend a little less on military affairs and invest a little bit more on its citizens. And no, downgrading your military will not bring about the end of the world.
You know why you won the cold war don't you ? Not because of military supremacy but because your adversary went backrupt.

They already do, the social securty/ medicare budget is larger than the military budget.

[KG_Jag]

Originally Posted by goldorak

Just like the military. And it doesn't cost as much.
Maybe just maybe the US should spend a little less on military affairs and invest a little bit more on its citizens. And no, downgrading your military will not bring about the end of the world.
You know why you won the cold war don't you ? Not because of military supremacy but because your adversary went bankrupt. And if you continue spending like there is no tomorrow the US will experience the same fate as the old USSR.

The U.S. has traditionally believed that each of its citizens could and should take care of him/her self, family and community with little or no involvement of the federal government. We are a very charitable lot and have local, county and state levels of government which are much closer to the people.

When I was growing up in the 60's and 70's there was great deal of discussion and concerning about our large military budget. But honest concern about that issue has wained, along with the size of the military budget relative to our GNP and current spending allocations. Transfer payments to our own citizens now dominate the budget and threaten to bankrupt us over time--not military spending.

So what if we or the democracies of Europe are attacked by foreign enemies of whatever stripe or flavor on anywhere near the scale that we saw just 70 and less years ago? How many European countries could afford to defend themselves? Is the number great than 0? I worry about our own ability to do so as well--given our current vector of becoming a national nanny state.

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Respenus

I know your arguments, I've read them, even though I have not replied to them. You say rape, I say I sleep easy at night knowing my health bill, not matter the cost or the complexity of the procedure will be paid; that even though I may lose my job, I shall have something to feed myself and in the future my family; I know that my children won't have to pay to receive excellent education, as best as Slovenia can provide, or any other European state can (England and Wales being the odd ones in the bunch) and that I rest assured that I shall have at least something to put into my mouth in my elder days, even though it might not be luxurious if I don't take care of it myself.

Does it cost a lot? It does. Is it unnerving at time? You can bet it is. Has it made me a happier man? You can count on that.

This, this this this.....it all sums it up.

I don't really have a problem with america doing things differently. What I find disturbing is that some americans (certainly not all, but still, some,) call this communism. It. Is. Not. And hey, if it would be communism, then call me a commie, 'cause I like it. Why? Because it works. And as Kapitan said: Don't fix what ain't broken.

[Respenus]

Originally Posted by Biggles

This, this this this.....it all sums it up.

I don't really have a problem with america doing things differently. What I find disturbing is that some americans (certainly not all, but still, some,) call this communism. It. Is. Not. And hey, if it would be communism, then call me a commie, 'cause I like it. Why? Because it works. And as Kapitan said: Don't fix what ain't broken.

Thank you.

[KG_Jag]

In less than 7 generations the U.S. went from a handful of frontier hicks to the most powerful nation in the world--in all respects, including economically. We must be doing a great deal that works. The core of our success is individual freedom, small government (until now), capitalism and the ability of the people to throw out the politicos every 2, 4 and 6 years--depending on the office.

The U.S. was founded on the concept that we were to be very different than Europe. It was a good idea then and just as good an idea now. Apparently many former Europeans agree because a great many came here from there, including my own ancestors. The flow of immigrants from the U.S. to Europe? A few Hollywood guys and a handful of others.

[Respenus]

Originally Posted by KG_Jag

In less than 7 generations the U.S. went from a handful of frontier hicks to the most powerful nation in the world--in all respects, including economically. We must be doing a great deal that works. The core of our success is individual freedom, small government (until now), capitalism and the ability of the people to throw out the politicos every 2, 4 and 6 years--depending on the office.

The U.S. was founded on the concept that we were to be very different than Europe. It was a good idea then and just as good an idea now. Apparently many former Europeans agree because a great many came here from there, including my own ancestors. The flow of immigrants from the U.S. to Europe? A few Hollywood guys and a handful of others.

I won't even try and tell you how complex the set of question you set are as it is too late for me to concentrate properly. Suffice to say, there are many variables which concern immigration in the past and present.

Plus I was never, and I believe most Europeans do the same as I do, talking about the greatness of a state. That is purely subjective, limited only by ones ability of self-denial about the true state of the world. No, we are talking about human beings which make up the state and the society. A state may be great, yet at what human cost. How does the old maxim go, What you do not see, doesn't hurt you? Yes, you might have a great state if measured in the number of people, troops, technology. Do you have any idea how many natural resources the USA have/had? Christ, put Europeans there (which is in fact a stupid division, as we are the same, the differences we perceive today appeared after your separation from the United Kingdom).

Yet do you have a majority of the population which is happy? Are the people, which you Americans so fondly mention, with all their rights; are they truly happy? It is impossible for everyone to be happy (even the idea of happiness is subjective, let's just say it is connected with life in general), yet I believe Europeans do sleep and feel better knowing there is a net, created and fought for by them, which will help them when the laissez-faire will let them down, not by their action or their own volition, yet due to the system itself. The ending statement was adeptly said by Biggles, read his response.

[KG_Jag]

Originally Posted by Respenus

Yet do you have a majority of the population which is happy? Are the people, which you Americans so fondly mention, with all their rights; are they truly happy? It is impossible for everyone to be happy (even the idea of happiness is subjective, let's just say it is connected with life in general), yet I believe Europeans do sleep and feel better knowing there is a net, created and fought for by them, which will help them when the laissez-faire will let them down, not by their action or their own volition, yet due to the system itself. The ending statement was adeptly said by Biggles, read his response.

Most Americans are very happy--but are rarely satisfied. We strive for more not only in our lifetimes but from generation to generation.

My grandfather was kicked out of first grade because he could not speak English, but only German. By the way this was done by other Americans who had come from Germany. He never finished high school and started his working life painting outhouses for the Soo Railroad Line.

My dad was the first person in our family to attend (and graduate) from college.

I and two of my brothers are lawyers. Another of my brothers is even more successful in the business world. Both of my sisters are also doing very well. All six of us have college degrees and 5 of the 6 of us have graduate degrees.

This sort of thing happens all the time in the U.S. How common is it in "happy" Europe?

[Fish]

Originally Posted by KG_Jag

How common is it in "happy" Europe?

Come over and see for yourself.