Taxes around the world

[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.

[August]

Originally Posted by Fish

Come over and see for yourself.

I've been there 4 times in my life, once for a three year stay. Europe is nice enough but it always seemed so fragile to me. Like it was ready at any moment to explode into war and destuction like it has so many times in the past.

I haven't ever regretted going but I was always darn glad to get back to the States.

[KG_Jag]

Originally Posted by Fish

Come over and see for yourself.

I have been--including the Netherlands (enjoyed your naval museum) and hope to again.

It ain't bad, but it sure ain't Texas.

[Biggles]

As we swedes say:

Borta bra, men hemma bäst.

Unless you hate your home, you're bound to prefer it, no matter where you go. I've been to the U.S a great number of times (lost the count really), last time was in January this year. I've also been to England, Thailand, Greece, Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, and Jamaica. I for one have no real desire to move outside Sweden. I can see it happen, but it certainly isn't a goal I strive for.

[August]

Originally Posted by Biggles

As we swedes say:

Borta bra, men hemma bäst.

Unless you hate your home, you're bound to prefer it, no matter where you go. I've been to the U.S a great number of times (lost the count really), last time was in January this year. I've also been to England, Thailand, Greece, Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, and Jamaica. I for one have no real desire to move outside Sweden. I can see it happen, but it certainly isn't a goal I strive for.

And that's the way it should be imo.

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by August

And that's the way it should be imo.

Indeed, I guess we can agree on that. It's never fun when someone feels they have to leave their home, rather than having the choice to do so.

[August]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Indeed, I guess we can agree on that. It's never fun when someone feels they have to leave their home, rather than having the choice to do so.

Can you imagine a world where every country was the same? How utterly boring that would be.