[MrBill]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cube', 'U')nfortunately MrBill there's over 1 million webpages on the internet containing info that will happily try to convince people otherwise. Repetition does NOT make truth but it does make for public opinion!

[Starvid]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cube', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Starvid', 'S')o what?

The American people has been looted by the superrich for the last 30 years. That's the big financing issue, not expensive oil. Just take the money back from the top 0,1 % and you can finance any number of anythings.

[Starvid]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MrBill', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Starvid', 'S')o what?

The American people has been looted by the superrich for the last 30 years. That's the big financing issue, not expensive oil. Just take the money back from the top 0,1 % and you can finance any number of anythings.

[MrBill]

Starvid, I really do not know where you get your information from? The only reason why firms such as IKEA can avoid paying income taxes is that they are set-up as charities. If Swedish politicians are not smart enough to close such blatant loopholes then why do Swedes trust them with more and more of their tax dollars?

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')weden has a worldwide reputation as a high-tax welfare state. Moreover, unlike Denmark - its main competitor for the dubious honor of the world's highest tax burden - there are thus far no signs of tax weariness at the ballot box in Sweden. On the contrary, Sweden's dominant social democratic party has won national as well as local elections proposing higher taxes in recent years.

Is Sweden a success? Should the Scandinavian country be a role model or a bad example? In general, nations should not emulate the Swedish tax system. High tax rates and a heavy burden of government have combined to stunt economic performance and lower living standards. This is an unfortunate development for a nation that used to be among the world's richest - particularly since Sweden managed to avoid World War II and was well-positioned to prosper in the post-war environment.

But the news is not all grim. Despite its reputation as a high-tax welfare state, Sweden has implemented a handful of pro-growth reforms. The comprehensive tax reform that was implemented in 1991, for instance, lowered marginal tax rates and reduced the tax burden on saving and investment. Many of these positive changes have eroded, but Sweden continues to have a very competitive corporate tax regime.

[Blacksmith]

Prehaps you should examine the Irish tax system?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_i ... of_Ireland

[Starvid]

MrBill, your source is severly dated.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')weden has a worldwide reputation as a high-tax welfare state. Moreover, unlike Denmark - its main competitor for the dubious honor of the world's highest tax burden - there are thus far no signs of tax weariness at the ballot box in Sweden. On the contrary, Sweden's dominant social democratic party has won national as well as local elections proposing higher taxes in recent years.

[joelcolorado]

The reason large airports and the Autobahn in Germany are concrete is the lasting quality. Just did an airport job and the concrete from WWII was still in great shape. THAT is old.

Concrete will NOT crack and peel up as stated if installed correctly. My street was put in in 1954 and is still very good. Try that with asphalt. Yes there is a cost diff but that is changing fast with oil cost and life cycle is the same or bettter for concrete now.

The reason we have so much asphalt as opposed to overseas is we take the LOWEST bid here instead of the best materials. So you get the cheapest asphalt and shorter life of the paving. Stupid I know but until we demand the BEST product we are stuck with paying for roads over and over.

I know, this is what I DO for a living.
kk

[DomusAlbion]

Who's Fault?

If they really want to make roads that last they should study the Roman's road engineering practices. Their roads have lasted millenia.

Got slave?

[Denny]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joelcolorado', 'T')he reason large airports and the Autobahn in Germany are concrete is the lasting quality. Just did an airport job and the concrete from WWII was still in great shape. THAT is old.

Concrete will NOT crack and peel up as stated if installed correctly.

[joelcolorado]

There you got it. Its the salt. I see rebar now with plastic or teflon coating on it to help with that. But asphalt has maybe a 7 yr life with maintenance every 2 years so its not any better plus more down time for working on it.
Concrete will soon take over again like it used to be.

[MrBill]

Thanks for the clarifications, Starvid. Always good to hear both sides of an argument. Thanks.

[cube]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Starvid', '.')...
We have had the same thing in Sweden, even worse on the wealth front. In the US the richest 1 % holds 30 % of all assets. In Sweden that's 40 %.

Why?

Because over the decades the socialist governments have squeezed the broad middle classes, eliminating middle class wealth while exempting the billionaires, as they would otherwise take all their money and leave. Not good for investments.
....

[MrBill]

How and why high taxes hurt the middle class the most.

The lower classes earn very little, so they pay relatively no taxes net of the benefits they receive. The wealthy can choose how, when and where they choose to declare income from investments. Usually only when realized. Sometimes offshore. Always at the lowest possible rate.

So let's assume average (mean/median) income is $40.000, and average tax burden is 50% including direct and indirect taxes. Net income $20.000 per year.

Average cost of living will be at or close to $20.000 because that is what the average person can afford to pay net of taxes. So your average wage earner is living up to their net income leaving very little left-over for savings and investment.

Forget the wealthy. Say a two-income family earns $60.000 per year ($40.000 + $20.000), so their net income is $30.000, while the average living costs are still $20.000. They earn $10.000 more net that they can now spend on consumption or can save and invest.

Using 3% compound interest $10.000 per year in 20-years becomes $276,765 or equivalent to 13.8-years of average income net of inflation. Even if you tax interest income at 100% the sum comes to $200.000 or 10-years of income. Versus little or no savings for the average wage earner who after 20-years of working has next to nothing put away.

And each time the government ratchets up the tax rate to tax away that difference they just ensnare more tax payers in their net, so consigning them to work perpetually for little more than their average living costs with little or no savings to save or invest.

Meanwhile anyone who earns more than the average (mean/median) income has compounding interest AND possibly favorable tax treatment on capital gains or interest income. Of course, anyone earning $200.000 net per year when the average cost of living is $20.000 has that extra income to consume, while still leaving enough leftover to save and invest.

The only ones that benefit from high taxes are the lower class that pay less tax and receive more benefits net. The middle class disappears. While no matter how hard they try they cannot close the gap with the wealthy.

Ironically, in places like Canada the tax income bands are not adjusted for cost of living inflation, so perversely two kids can graduate from college, and find themselves in the highest marginal tax bracket in their first jobs before they have even had a chance to repay their student loans or put a downpayment on a house. Then they are paying the highest marginal tax rates, while saving to buy a house, making car payments and trying to start a young family.

Tax the rich indeed. More like tax your children's and grandchildren's future away!