Taxes around the world

[Respenus]

http://www.kpmg.com/SiteCollectionDo...urvey_2009.pdf

If I hear ever again an American complain about taxes, I'm going to blow a fuse

Enjoy this pleasant reading material. It is quite informative.

[Arclight]

And guess who's topping the list? That's right, good old Holland. No surprises there.

I swear, living in Holland is more like continuous ongoing extortion than anything else.

*well, at least when it comes to "Highest Rates of Personal Income Tax"

**nvm, Denmark and Sweden have it even worse.

[stabiz]

Bahamas here I come! I didnt know we had lower taxed in Norway than Sweden and Denmark.

[Respenus]

Those are just highest rates of personal income tax. Now take the effective income tax and social security rates and I'd rather live in Holland any day of the week. Frankly, the new tax that Croatia has levied most probably puts it on the top of the list, but I'm sure everyone would rather live in the Netherlands than in Slovenia/Croatia.

I just hope our politicians look at this and decide that it's time to stop stealing money and give the people back what they paid for. We pay a lot, we also receive a lot, particularly social security, pensions and healthcare which is extremely good, which it should be as we pay the rates comparable with most western states.

Just remember gentlemen, lower taxes do not mean better service or social security. Most probably on the contrary.

[August]

Didja ever think that our constant complaining about taxes is the main reason we aren't being raped like you guys?

[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.

[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.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by August

Didja ever think that our constant complaining about taxes is the main reason we aren't being raped like you guys?

Best point of the day!

[Aramike]

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.

I slept the best when I was a child, knowing that no matter what my parents has everything taken care of for me.

But to some people, life is about the liberty to make it what you want ... not the chain that ties you down while making you feel safe.

In other words, we decided to grow up, in a sense.

[jumpy]

Originally Posted by August

Didja ever think that our constant complaining about taxes is the main reason we aren't being raped like you guys?

hahaha

We brits complain a plenty about taxation... don't change the fact we get shafted at every turn - not only with income tax, but VAT, fuel duty, national insurance, and never mind about pensions... (what pensions? unless you're fred goodwin).

We just got out TV licence renewal... it's almost 150 ******* quid! Just to watch television for a year! and all you get to show for is is ****ty programs like 'strictly come dancing' and 'X-factor', or 'britain's got (no) talent'. the ultimate lowest common denominator programming

Utility companies run for the benefit of shareholders and not for the service they're supposed to give, knowing too well that we all have no other choice but to take what is offered because we can't do without gas/electricity/water, so every year the service costs more yet is of a successively lower quality of service... rrrrrrrg!

I'm certain the level of voter apathy here is a direct result of the fact that no matter what we complain about and no matter what is promised by successive governments, everything is more expensive in terms of what we have to pay out and anything that is due to us is worth less year by year.

It's like the ultimate pyramid scheme, only on a national scale

About the only half decent thing about living here is the NHS and even that's a shadow of what it was intended to be at its incept, having been bloated by endless middle management drones and ill informed government initiatives. Leave the running of the NHS to medical professionals like doctors, consultants and nurses, not sodding bean counters ffs.

Don't even get me started on employment, or the despicable lack of it for anyone with more than 2 braincells to rub together.

This last bunch of thieving crooks and liars and their 'opposition parties' all have their heads so deep in the communal trough they are no longer interested in what their job means to the country. The worst kind of politician is a career politician, and they're all we seem to have left these days. So, more pity for the rest of us who aren't privy to inner sanctum of the cathedral of profit, whilst we dress in rags they are flaunting the ermine robes of expense accounts and connections and 'old boys' networks, the sole purpose of which are to keep everything close at hand and away from the batteries of the economy.

soz, got a bit carried away there.

[August]

Originally Posted by jumpy

soz, got a bit carried away there.

Sorry didn't mean to get you riled up.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Respenus

http://www.kpmg.com/SiteCollectionDo...urvey_2009.pdf

If I hear ever again an American complain about taxes, I'm going to blow a fuse

Enjoy this pleasant reading material. It is quite informative.

This is because we don't have stupid policies like forced Health Care run by the Damn government. There is a reason we are as strong as we are and as wealthy as we are. Seems some stupid people don't get that.

-S