Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

applegrove

(118,022 posts)
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 10:40 PM Apr 2013

"Americans Really Need To Stop Complaining About Taxes"

Americans Really Need To Stop Complaining About Taxes

by Wolf Richter at Business Insider

"SNIP..................................................


Eurozone countries are falling like dominos.But bailouts—funded by taxpayers in other countries—keep banks from collapsing, governments from defaulting, and investors from incurring well-deserved losses.

Bailout money that no one has. And so it's borrowed. Borrowing is pain free, and easier than collecting taxes. Until it’s impossible. Hence a debt crisis.

In the US, we talk about “revenues” instead of taxes. President Obama’s budget is circulating, and it has that word in it, causing heart palpitations and conniptions left and right. But how do countries stack up against each other when it comes to taxes?

In the graph below, the 34 countries of the OECD are ranked by the amount of taxes they collected from all sources in 2010—income, consumptions, assets, etc., at local and national levels—as a percent of GDP.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]


..................................................SNIP"
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Americans Really Need To Stop Complaining About Taxes" (Original Post) applegrove Apr 2013 OP
We are a nation of complainers MaineLinePhilly Apr 2013 #1
OK.. cvoogt Apr 2013 #2
People in Europe pay higher taxes and get single payer health care, free education, etc.. djean111 Apr 2013 #3
Higher taxes don't seem to be helping Greece, Spain and Italy right now. geckosfeet Apr 2013 #4
The only way you're going to get it (tax code reform) Volaris Apr 2013 #5
 

MaineLinePhilly

(72 posts)
1. We are a nation of complainers
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 10:50 PM
Apr 2013

While many have a right to complain, there are many who need to drink a glass of Chableau-de-STFU!!!! Many want everything but don't want to pay for it. This social security thing is getting on my nerves. ITS NOT SUSTAINABLE in its current format. I'm certainly not counting on it by the time I retire. Either the retirement age has to be raised and/or cuts to higher earners, and/or paying more into it. PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!

cvoogt

(949 posts)
2. OK..
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 10:50 PM
Apr 2013

At least in some of those other countries the gov't actually takes care of the poor (not half-ass like we do here), doesn't launch illegal wars, doesn't cater to corporations (as much), restricts gun rights, .. I could go on. Taxes paid as a % of GDP are not too interesting in themselves; I think how the money is spent is much more important.

 

djean111

(14,255 posts)
3. People in Europe pay higher taxes and get single payer health care, free education, etc..
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 10:51 PM
Apr 2013

Well, not in austerity riddled UK, of course, education can be very expensive and student loans just as punishing.
Apples and oranges, though.
The percentage is, of course, very interesting, but it is not like the services received by the people are the same.
Cracks me up when someone says oh, gas is cheaper here - yeah, but higher taxes elsewhere go to social services.

geckosfeet

(9,644 posts)
4. Higher taxes don't seem to be helping Greece, Spain and Italy right now.
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 12:18 AM
Apr 2013

I have no problem with taxes in general. I have a problem with a tax code that disproportionately coddles and protects wealth and the wealthy.

One step in addressing the economic inequity in this country is through tax code reform.

Volaris

(10,260 posts)
5. The only way you're going to get it (tax code reform)
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 01:09 AM
Apr 2013

is FIRST to get Publicly Funded Elections. The Elected "Leaders" have to pay more attention to the interests of WE THE PEOPLE than to their Corporate Overlords.

But yeah, a sane Tax Code would go a long way toward evening thing out (and by sane, I mean a High School Freshman should probably be able to calculate how much, say, Exxon-Mobile should be paying the Government, based on income reported to shareholders).

A twelve-year-old should be able to do mom and dad's taxes annualy. THAT'S sane.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»"Americans Really Need To...