PeakOil is You
Almost looking forward to even higher oil prices
Re: Almost looking forward to even higher oil prices
by Snowrunner » Mon 29 Aug 2005, 00:36:46
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jdmartin', 'B')ut you can't squeeze blood out of a stone. The US ranks below at least 30 other countries in terms of income equality (gap between the rich and the poor). This includes virtually every country in Europe as well as Canada and Japan, and, embarrasingly, other countries such as Rwanda and Pakistan. Real wages for American workers have been falling for over 30 years. We are the only developed country that does not provide health care for its citizens.
I knew that income wasn't all that great for the majority of americans (I've lived there) but that it was that bad I wasn't quite aware.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'F')urther, citizens oftentimes will not go for any type of tax increase because those on the bottom have been constantly and consistently screwed by the powers that be. Therefore, they have become so distrustful of the process as a whole that they say "no" to everything.
Which obviously is just nice or the ones at the top.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')nd make no mistake about it - we pay plenty of taxes here in the US. The difference is that they're much more hidden, discreet, and pernicious than in other countries. Income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes are just the ones that are blatantly obvious. Gas taxes, sin taxes somewhat known but less transparent. Hotel and motel fees, FCC taxes, cable access taxes, motor vehicle registration, inspection fees....the list goes on and on. Americans pay about 40% of their income in taxes to various entities. For that 40%, I get:
Yes, I know that too. As I said I lived there, my income tax was lower than it is now in Canada (not much though), but I got nickled and dimed to death at every turn.
My most favourite was to go to 7-11, on pretty much everything I got to pay Federal Sales Tax, States Sales Tax, County Sales Tax and City Sales Tax.
No less than FOUR different taxes for buying a candy bar. My European mind boggled.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '1'). A nominally safe country; no terrorists have got me yet. On the other hand, I haven't heard of any Canadian terrorists lately.
There was a poll the other indicating that most Canadians seem to be more afraid of their neighbours to the south than they are of islamic terrorists. Go figure.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '2'). A school to send my non-existent children to.
I heard horror stories there, but not quite sure how bad they are. For a society that claims to deal in "brain power" though it seems to be rather sad.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '3'). County police protection, which means I better be able to hold off the perpetrators myself for at least 15 minutes.
That's a problem was vast distances though, no? I find it always funny when people tell me they moved to the burbs so that their kids are safe. Statistically speaking the chances to become a victim of crime is a lot higher in the burbs than it is in the dead of the city.
Even if there is something happening, the cops / paramedics / fire department will be there in a VERY short period of time.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '4'). A waste disposal area that I can take my own trash to.
MMmhhh, in other places you pay a "garbage tax" and in return they come by. Before I left Germany the city changed it and charged per bin, not a bad idea, if you are smart with your garbage you could actually safe money.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '5'). Various national entities to provide some oversight to ensure my drinking water doesn't contain arsenic or my friendly neighborhood factory isn't burying plutonium in the backyard.
