Did You Know the US is the THIRD LOWEST TAXED Country in the Industrialized World?

Question

Sandwiched between Japan and Korea and only two positions higher than Mexico. Are these really the countries with which we want to share something in common? What happens if Republicans keep cutting taxes? Well, say goodbye to public schools, our military, police, fire fighters, first responders, emts, road and bridge maintenance, Social Security, Welfare, (settle down, Republicans, NOT Corporate Welfare...That kind of welfare is A-OK with Republicans! 92 Billion in 2006 alone went to Corporate Welfare) HeadStart Programs, etc., etc. Check out wikipedia.org for the "starve the beast" theory.
http://itsyourworld-changeit.blogspot.com

http://www.ctj.org/pdf/oecd07.pdf

Answer 1

I'm not surprised. I don't understand why we are doing so much business with China. U.S. corporations like Mattel are nothing anymore. They have lost what they used to stand for because of greed. Republicans, in general, are lazy and feeble minded. They do not live in the real world. They are an oblivious lot. I would love to see the private schools gone because so much money is being drained from public school because of them. All the money that gets put there should be put into making public schools better. The fact of the matter is that we need everyone contributing to the greater society. We need to become closer but instead we are futher apart then we ever have before. The gap just continues to widen, no matter what happens with technology. We may have more ways to communicate but communicating like this is very shallow and unfulfilling. Too many people are stuck in go nowhere jobs. It is not realistic for everyone to start their own businesses. Some people have values and can see the forest through the trees. We do not need more junk to clog our already clogged landfills. We need smart solutions. We need to start thinking about the future. I personally am starting to believe that the baby boomers share a lot of the blame because they have got to be the most spoiled and most selfish generation. If they don't get their way then it all comes apart. I am generalizing. I don't believe they are all to blame. I'm speaking in general terms from what I see and what I feel. The U.S. looks to me like it's only a matter of time before the whole systems cracks like our roads and bridges. That's just what we need, more tax cuts because our roads and schools are not completely destroyed yet. Who cares about the terrorists. We are killing ourselves already. They are winning because we have lost our purpose. Why bother living? If all you care about is beating the next guy and having more stuff then you can possibly know what to do with. Who cares? If that's what you live for, to have more money than the next guy and more stuff and can say, "I can afford it." then you lead a very shallow existence, have no real friends I'm sure, and are a sad, sick individual. If there is a hell then surely, you deserve to go there, although I'm sure you are already there. What kind of life is that?? I'm thinking of that family in CT building a 50,000 sq. ft monstrosity of a house because they can. Sick and evil people, they are. No one needs that kind of space. That is just selfish and absurd.

Answer 2

The situation is a case of circular problems that can't simply be solved because the overwhelming goverment beaucracy would never allow it. First things first if we truly became a free trade nation and dropped all the barriers we would immediately begin paying lower prices for items that are currently subsidized. This would benefit foreign countries that are being hammered by tariffs. The outcome of some of this is that Americans who work in inefficient industries such as Farming, Steel and Automobile manufacturing would be out of work because the law of comparative advantage would bounce them right out. Additionally the government would have to lower the barriers to entry for many industries in order to actually encourage competition. For example you can't just go out and start a hospital, airline or international port. The government regulations cause lack of competition which means the hospitals are expensive and suck, the airlines suck and the ports and slow and suck but no one can do anything about it. (to name a few areas) The benefits would include the current illegals leaving for jobs in other countries because now they can get a job in their home country and don't need to come here. This frees up jobs for the overpaid subsidized workers to do. Since lower tarrifs, decreasing barriers to entry and ending corporate welfare would reduce the chance that greedy corrupt politicians have of getting re-elected there is not any possibility of this happening. Ben Bernanke indicated that free trade alone would give the average American family and additional $8,000-$12,000 and you won't hear a peep out of an elected official on that. I like you ideas on funding research on alternative energy which would likely change the face of the middle east also. EMTs, Fire Fighters and Police are well funded enough (as a former Paramedic I can assure you of this) unfortunately the money is poorly spent by poor management and zero oversight. For instance the Police are crying about new bullet proof vests but are out buying Hummers. By a tahoe and the bulletproof vests... wait nooooo the Tahoe is not as cool as the hummer. The homeland security money is like a bottomless pit of waste. I took classes on homeland securitys money that had nothing whatsoever to do with homeland security. I live in a state that has a hospital within 20 minutes of anywhere but the state still spent millions on a portable hospital that will never be used. The whole beaucratic machine is self perpetuating and impossible to stop because corruption is it's base. Fix the political system and the business system will fix itself.

Answer 3

It does make interesting reading - but as with any data on tax you have to take into account a whole array of different taxes, not just personal income or federal direct taxes. Also, measuring against GDP might not always give an accurate picture, anymore than looking at this artificial 'average income' by comparison.
Creating a universal health care system does not necessarily mean an increase in tax, since the cash is already out there in the system; it's just heading for the wrong pockets!

Answer 4

Thanks. I always enjoy how you point out things that should be obvious but that hardly anybody else takes the time to mention; either because they are too intimidated by the Right Wing Noise Machine or simply because nobody else, especially most spineless Democrats, wants to challenge "conventional wisdom that taxes are evil."

A majority of Americans say the federal government should guarantee health insurance to every American, especially children, and are willing to pay higher taxes to do it, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.

Answer 5

i would be really interested t see where you got this statistic but it sounds reasonable. low taxes means that we--American citizens--are responsible for paying for health care and college education. in countries where the taxes are higher, the citizens are taken care of more. this is part of the whole health care controversy right night (the movie "Sicko"). it is definitely a personal opinion on whether someone would like free health care or low taxes.

Answer 6

Im 24 and Ive gotten my education and work very hard for everything Ive earned. Im not married, I dont have kids and Im not rich. Its sucks when the governments tax's my *** for the poor over producing ***'s so they can support their families. These people need to work and not get handouts from people like me who are trying to make a living. For me to get a tax break I have to have kids or get married. Screw that! Property is a tax break too but how the hell am i suppose to buy that when all my money is taken from me?? Its going to be a long hard road for the people my age.... plus having to pay for social security! Who the hell is gonna pay for mine? Im gonna have to work till im 100!

The founders of this country came here to get a break from taxes. NO taxation without representation!!

From California
(The biggest democrat state in the country : (

Answer 7

I don't know I think there is something to be said for low rates:


"Executive Summary
Relatively low tax rates, respect for financial privacy, and attractive business tax laws have given Switzerland a reputation as a tax haven. But Switzerland is only a low-tax nation compared to its European neighbors. Tax revenues consume nearly 30 percent of gross domestic product, which is higher than the U.S. tax burden. Set up as a federal system like the U.S., the 26 Swiss cantons are largely independent in setting their own taxes. But unlike the U.S., where the federal government now plays a dominant role in fiscal policy, the Swiss central government accounts for less than one-third of total taxes and spending."

http://www.freedomandprosperity.org/press/p02-14-07/p02-14-07.shtml

Answer 8

We also fuss about gas prices too, yet gas prices here are cheaper than compared to europe.

All you complainers should thank your lucky stars that Ross Perot didn't win in 88. He was for a 50 cents gas tax.

Answer 9

ok, well i really wouldn't mind doing without public schools, social security, and welfare; all of which are provided for by taxes and all of which suck. i would much rather keep my own money to put my children in the school of my choice with that money, have my own money to invest and save as a choose, and pick the medical insurance and doctors of my choice, instead of letting the government do everything for me. most police/fire/first responders/infrastructure maintanence workers are employed by the state, not the federal government anyway so if you don't like your roads go complain to your state legislators. and as for the military, well... trust me, they get plenty of money

Answer 10

And yet you still have everything handed to you on a silver platter. What's the matter, still greedy for more money you haven't earned?

In case you missed the memo, the tax cuts resulted in more money coming into the Federal coffers because more people were put back to work. That's right, TAX REVENUES ACTUALLY INCREASED, and it happened without any of the usual Democrat STAGFLATION.