@romanmir01 Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg - all doing as well or better than The States. I've lived in and visited many of those places. I don't rely on CNN to tell me how they work. The US isn't exactly in great shape herself, in case you hadn't noticed.
@proteanview I left USA and Canada to do business in Asia, I am currently in Germany and spend time in Switzerland, UK and many Eastern European countries.
While Germany and Switzerland will likely survive the economic collapse and in fact probably even thrive through it by returning to a more sound fiscal policy, most of the rest of the Europe will not be as lucky, and they don't produce much to be able to pay for the services they get. Of-course US subsidizes their military
@romanmir01 Then you might be aware that the Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, German, Swiss economies are at least as stable, if not more so, than the economy of The States.
We both pay taxes. I'd rather mine provide health care to other Americans than blow up foreigners or 'liberate' them. Europe can no more sustain their services than we can sustain our military spending. We're hanging 'by our neck,' too, but for bowing up too many folks instead of caring for them.
@proteanview US economy is in worse condition than people admit, and this the problem created by the government in the first place - government growth is unsustainable, nowhere else is government growing the way it does in US. The dollar is counterfeit, this pushes investment out of country and if Germany prints the way the rest of Europe wants, this is exactly the same thing that will happen to Germany. Switzerland just fixed exchange rate of Frank to Euro, so same thing again.
@proteanview Scandinavian countries are in fact moving towards more capitalism and less socialism, because they were suffering massive investment capital outflow, loss of productive jobs, loss of businesses. Norway is a special case actually, they are producing oil and gas and taxing the companies enough, basically to subsidise the country even to the point that nobody else would have to work at all, question is, what's the final result once oil and gas end in that country?
@proteanview Switzerland is actually an outlier in terms of regulations and taxes, they are very capitalistic, much more than everybody else in Europe and definitely much more than USA is. We negotiate how much taxes are paid (seriously, we negotiate with the canton and the rate changes year to year, but normally always becomes lower than year before), and with every referendum people vote to lower taxes.
@proteanview I agree with you: In US the corruption is such that the government created a situation that is more expensive to provide services that many get in Europe for the taxes. But this is not capitalism, in the sense that corruption is on government levels - gov't creates rules by stealing power from people to do business, but then gov't sells that power to whoever is willing to buy.
Gov't stealing power to sell it is the most basic gov't corruption, and it's blatant in US.
@proteanview However Europe is going to be in the same shape (safe for Germany/Switzerland and Scandinavia) if they give in to currency destruction, and the only reason Germany, Switzerland and Scandinavia won't be in the same fix as pretty much everybody else here is because these countries are producers and they can store money outside of Euro, which is likely to be destroyed, but USD will be destroyed first.
Carl Sagan was one of the first people to spread the word of how ridiculous the military funding is in the U.S. They need to invest in science, to invest in the future, not the destruction of other human beings.
The welfare state over here in the United Kingdom is slowly being cut back, the government cut the funds to healthcare, it is still free though. There have been other cuts as well, in education and other sectors, in 2010 I was being paid, not just to go to university, but also being paid travelling expenses, which meant I was given more money than I needed to travel to university every week. Don't get those travelling expenses anymore. Damn David Cameron.
I have lived and studied in both Norway and the United States and have no trouble choosing which one of them to live in. Protean is so right; the "averages" conceal the true nastiness of the US. In Norway taxes are high, luxuries are expensive. But the great mass of people live at a level around a comfortable mean. All Norwegians are careful with money and hate waste(in my experience). What Protean doesnt mention is that Norway also has a huge Sovereign Wealth Fund, a cushion for a rainy day
It's very true.. Europeans get a lot more for there money. Most Americans I know don't know how much many Europeans are getting for there tax dollars.Healthcare, College, Mass Transit ect..It's a shock to Europeans that come to America.. They can't belive we don't receive those things as they do.Americans that live in Europe sometimes adopt the idea that Europeans are spoiled for having those things. The American Government is a little more greedy towards it's people than many EU Countries.
It's very true.. Europeans get a lot more for there money. Most Americans I know don't know how much many Europeans are getting for there tax dollars.Healthcare, College, Mass Transit ect..It's a shock to Europeans that come to America.. They can't belive we don't receive those things as they do.Americans that live in Europe sometimes adopt the idea that Europeans are spoiled for having those things. The American Government is a little more greedy towards it's people than many EU Countries.
Americans dont like high taxes for social purposes cause they aren't bounded by the enormous chains of ethic & cultural solidarity.(to their defense its an involuntary process in Europe. a heritage)
A visualizing of the differences:
-the national identity in usa is a tree with 10 meters long roots,
-the Europeans(every nation individually) is a tree with 500 meters long roots.
the mare idea that a German would leave a fellow German dying helpless, because of those roots is inconceivable.
@AmetReloads Have you ever been to Germany? Most Germans won't ever talk about their 'fellow German'. That's been a taboo since 1945; any mention of the good of 'das Volk' reminds people of Hitler. Many Germans also assert that their country is only as old as the Bundesrepublik, about 6 or 7 decades. Yes, they're happy for all the returns they get on their taxes, but that has nothing to do with helping their 'fellow German'. If anything, it would be for helping their fellow human being.
Great video. I'm from Norway i don't pay more than 36% of income tax. Sweden and Denmark is higher that could be 48% But you make some good points.
But one thing is that but other thing is that both the US and Europe runs on fraud ecconomy systems. I mean the Fedral reserve debt ecconomy both imposed on us two. But certainly also used by IMF to enslave 3.rd world countries!!
America was way better of before income taxes even came about..If we could just pay only to the counties we ive in ,that would be better than all of this money being sucked down a little hole in Washington,DC..That is the problem,1 little area called Wasington,DC. and it gets most of our money that keeps the elite rich and powerfull..
@tyrongkojy Income taxes are illegal and the IRS is a collection agency for a private bank..Taxes should be extremly low and easy to pay and only used for local needs ..They should not be used to keep millionaire senators and other politicians rich,they preach about doing great things but they never ever spend one cent of their money on anything..Besids income taxes which is based on what you make,there are endless amounts of hidden taxes.
@CrashMarket You're right, they shouldn;t be used to keep peopel rich. One reason why everyone looks at your country so oodly. They SHOULD be used for roads, police, fire, heathcare, social security, etc. And I don;t mind paying higher taxes if I get those things. And no, they're not illegal. Judge: "Income tax is legal." Well, that's done. Supreme court: "Income tax is legal." End of that.
Located in Germany I can tell that the jobless statistics do not match reality. Wellfare is granted for jobless under the condition of giving up some of your legal rights. Also if the "client" doesn't check the mail everyday and react immediately to their request of filling pages of forms, or misses one of the many government's "invitations" they cut or reject the payment. Many people have longer periods of being thrown out of health insurance. Banks are hardly giving loans to those who need it
It' too late for a change. The banks are broke .We should have base sales ! Who couldn't use a good airport /drag strip minummum security closed rehab base . It's not the money, it's what we did with the money ! right on .thanks.
I can see why as a black man you are so obsessed with harping on Jews. It's not like the negroid race has imperfections that you could be working out or anything.
@JegHarEnLillePik Wow.... Now those are some STRONG arguments you provide us with.. Completely convinced me of your point.. NOT!!! Maybe it's time to throw that keyboard of yours out of the window.. Really..
Tax rate doesn't equate to economic freedom. If you studied a little of European economy, you'd know those northern European countries have been liberalizing it's in the past decades. Specially Sweden.
Also, you cherry pick a lot, and leave the PIGS out. Why is that? Who is bailing them out? Germany and the US, that's who. Why?
Not all Europeans are deluded by the Socialist propaganda.
Freedom, liberty, buzzwords? It would be funny if it wasn't sad.
Welfare state needs high taxes but it will only lead to high unemployment rate, uninspired, and unproductive people. In fact Europeans have much higher unemployment rate than Americans. America also has the best universities in the world. Not to mention most of the innovations and medical breakthroughs come America. America files more patents than rest of the world combined. Many of those patents are filed owned by American universities.
If the Tea Party, which has staked its identity on the basis of the idea of reducing government spending and reducing taxation is not critical of the massive waste that goes on with out of control spending on the military, and yet at the same is hyper critical of spending o education, healthcare, and other necessities, then they are big hypocrites. They are for welfare, but they are for welfare in the worst form, in that they support corporate welfare.
@YYeezzppeerr Its not about being selfish. Whatever developed country you are in, its the Middle Class that keep that country above economic collapse. You watch, whenever tax increases come out, this increase that increase, its always the assault on the Middle Class, because they make up the majority. If these people are working all the hours to make ends meat, they will be angry if it goes to the person down the road who doesn't want to work because they get everything for nothing.
@YYeezzppeerr Tthe state has a duty to support the unemployed, but here in the UK, there are people who have never been employed, never worked, in any capacity, but receive more in benefits than most workers who are struggling to make an honest living. This is wrong. It is the fault of the system! However, you can't blame someone who works 50+ hours a week in order to look after his/her family hating the fact that someone who doesn't work, can live a life of luxury with zero contribution!
I've worked in 3 continents and can honestly say I'd rather pay the tax. I now live in Sweden, where you do not even need a car and wont miss it. The public transport is efficient, timely and clean. Both parents get parental leave, I pay no more than $160 a year for medicine - the rest is free - my kids get free education from daycare right up till they get a phD - if I lose my job I wont starve - I'll still make mortgage payments comfortably. Im no laggard, I earn every cent, always have.
imo the position of the community stands above the individual.That means everyone should take care of everyone. Not helping the poor isn't a "liberty", it's just shameful. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a communist. I'm only talking about basic human rights like healthcare, education and social security. You could call that socialism (which is a very scary word for a lot of americans), but I'd rather call it "human decency". Making money is fine, as long as everyone gets the same basic securities.
@FritZz81 I understand what you're saying and in theory, that is how it should be. However, it only works if people all work together. I don't know how it is in America, but over here in the UK, if they had a system where long term benefit claimants could do volunteer work, then I'd agree with your policy, but some of these people dwarf what many workers get, by claiming benefits. That is absolutely wrong! On top of that many don't want to contribute, thats when your policy runs in to trouble.
@FritZz81 Helping poor shouldn't be an obligation. It should be individual's choice, that way it truly comes from one's heart. Paying tax is an obligation for working people, welfare is an entitlement for poor. In ideal world, I'd rather be able to donate to charity of my choice than paying high taxes.
@arby22207 there's no such thing as an "ideal world", and people will not donate nearly enough money to the poor if they aren't forced to do so. It has to be done through taxes. Making money comes with responsability. And btw, low poverty has a direct result on crimerates, murders and general deterioration, which cost lots of money. Look at the US crime statistics and compare them to european "socialist" countries. It's ridiculous some rich countries still have poor people living on the streets
@FritZz81 You'll be surprised how generous people can be once they get to keep most of their income. Many people are indifference towards the poor thinking the government will take care of them. Even in this forum I've read so many comments from UK working class resenting the poor for never having jabs but still able to get by
@arby22207 That's because humans are egocentric assholes by nature, who can't relate to others. And when, on top of this, you encourage individualism, like in the US, you get a fucked up society. That's how people get indifferent and self-centered. Capitalism stretched to it's limits. And of course social security should be very strict and should only be available for people who actually have some sort of disadvantage, and aren't able to work. But healthcare should be accessible for everyone.
@FritZz81 People have too much faith in government. If people are egocentric assholes by nature, how could the politicians be any different? The way i see it, when the individual is involved in altruism, its mostly out of good heart and ones reputation. When the Government is involved in altruism, politic outweighs good intention. The politicians will keep spending the tax money on where they think they have the best chance of getting reelected. The sad thing is - people keep electing them.
@arby22207 I don't believe in altruism on a mass scale, with a few exceptions (like mother Theresa and Ghandi). And especcially not in a country where individualism has grown into a national culture. But what I don't understand is why a hardcore conservative christian nation like the US has such a anti-social system. Do americans actually believe the communist Jesus would approve their aggressive form of capitalism? I'm a born atheist myself and even I think it's too harsh.
@FritZz81 Christians believe free will to be the most important gift to humanity. You are free to commit sin, and free to be virtuous. Religions also encourage people to be law abiding, tax paying citizens while getting involved in volunteerism and donating money for charitable cause. When the government jacks up taxes and pass all sorts of ridiculous laws and regulations, it hinders with their mission. People become less generous and more apathetic.
@arby22207 haha, religion.. A corrupted concept that is the cause of most of the worlds problems and conflicts. It makes people think they're morally superior and they only interpretate religious dogmas the way it fits them best. Not to mention the fact it's all made up bullshit from times people thought the earth was flat. To put it mildly: Religion has NO correlation with "doing good" what so ever, look at the statistics. Atheism however DOES show positive correlations in every field.
@arby22207 But tell me, if free will and individualism are so important to you.. Why can I legally buy weed and you can't? Why do we have gaymarriage, prostitution, abortion, euthanasia, etc? And besides that, our salaries are higher than the US and we've got more than enough to spend after paying taxes. And we are over 50% atheists WITH healthcare. The only parties in our country who are against any form of self-determination are the christian parties. Thank GOD they're not taken seriously..
@FritZz81 I support legalization of drugs and gay marriage. Hell, I even support polygamy and prostitution. War on drug have cost us billions dollars and locked up so many of our otherwise productive citizens. We are all grown up, its non of governments' business what I do to my own body, but being a nanny/police state America is, we can't do any of that here.
@FritZz81 As for religions, I grew up in a catholic family, but for me, religion is nothing more than just a family tradition or excuse to celebrate and get together such as holidays wedding, funerals and christianing. All the squabbling aside, I do believe in the fundamental or the golden rule of all religions which is not to do to others what you would not like yourself. I respect people of all different world religions or lack of as long as they don't get involved in politics.
@FritZz81 There's nothing wrong with individualism. When you work to make a living for yourself, you are contributing to the society. Not only you're not a burden to other people, you're serving others directly or indirectly. In free market system, your income is the reflection of your contribution to the society.
@arby22207 FYI I'm a pro-capitalist and I live in a capitalist country.But there's a huge difference between an extremistic form of capitalism and capitalism with social aspects. Which ISN'T socialism, let alone communism.Any extreme system doesn't work in the end. Whether it's communism or blunt capitalism. Stability comes with establishing some sort of compromise: The truth always lies between. Americans tend to think in extremes.They think there are only 2 options, capitalism or socialism.
@FritZz81 Most Americans are moderate. I'm actually the minority when it comes to politics and economy. Our gov't is ignoring US constitutions in favor of bigger gov't and welfare state. Our idiot politicians believe that more gov't spending and printing more money will help the economy.
@FritZz81 On top of that they have the craziest ideas that US has to be the world police! Look where that got us, countless terrorists attacks and thousands of lost lives from war against terrorism. You say religions have caused most of the world's problems and conflicts, and there's no doubt about that, but I say the governments are equally to blame if not worse.
@arby22207 And being the (highly selective) "world police" generated a lot of wealth for the US.The US only intervenes when there are profits to be made or when profits are jeopardized. Not out of social involvement. Wars just have to be lucrative. That's why your rightwing (corporate funded) governments invaded countries like Iraq,but left millions of africans to die in various genocides because there's nothing to gain. And Europe kisses up to the US in fear for economic consequences.
@FritZz81 Corporation doesn't discriminate left-wing or right-wing. Business have influence equally on both side of the political spectrum. A candidate cannot be elected without support from business. Furthermore, the left-wings are more likely to vote for corporate bailout than the right-wings. Left-wing has always been the meddling party, and right-wing used to stand for non-intervention.
@FritZz81 That's why right-wings are against welfare and NHS, but when it comes to foreign affair the corporate interests take over. So you are spot on about the corporations have huge influence on our gov't. That's more the reason why I'm such a skeptic when it comes to government.
@arby22207 And again, I'm all in favour for individualism and freedom. We've got legalized weed, gaymarriages,prostitution, abortion,euthanasia, etc. Those are liberties the US doesn't have. I like to control my own life, BUT that doesn't mean I don't have a responsibility to people who are less fortunate. Someone who's born with a disadvantage deserves a decend life, and I'm gladly willing to help pay for it through taxes. And we may pay a lot of taxes, but we get a lot for it in return.
@arby22207 And again, I'm all in favour for individualism and freedom. We've got legalized weed, gaymarriages,prostitution, abortion,euthanasia, etc. Those are liberties the US doesn't have. I like to control my own life, BUT that doesn't mean I don't have a responsibility to people who are less fortunate. Someone who's born with a disadvantage deserves a decend life, and I'm gladly willing to help pay for it through taxes. And we may pay a lot of taxes, but we get a lot for it in return.
@FritZz81 That's very noble of you, but have you ever thought that maybe some people have great ideas and want to spend their own money to start a new business which will create jabs? Don't you think having a jab is more meaningful than being at mercy of somebofy else? I'm all for helping poor but its more important for them to be able to find a jab and become independent. You can help more people by spending your own money or donate to charity of your choice than the gov't could ever accomplish
@arby22207 businesses create jobs, that's true. But not everyone is able to work and make a decend living, and the free market doesn't change anything about that fact. And you shouldn't treat healthcare like it's any other free enterprise, because it isn't. Profits compromise public health. I think the government should be responsible for all social securities in order to have a solid safety net beneath the free marketsystem. That stabilizes the unpredictability of the free market in a way.
@FritZz81 Free market changes everything. It makes life better for everybody. It's how Hong Kong and Taiwan came out of poverty. Free market doesn't make rich richer at the expense of the poor, which is the BIGGEST HOLLYWOOD LIE you ever hear. Our music and movies always vilify business and capitalist while they make millions. Now, that's hypocrisy. You would know what I'm talking about if you ever listen to Rage Against Machine or if you ever watched the movies; Wall Street, Syriana, and Avatar
@Obasiliasfilosofos So what if it has "no regulation". Social market? There is no such thing. There is a heavily regulated or low regulated market nowadays.
Compared to the Southern European countries, which are bankrupt, the northern ones are much more sane and free.
The fact is, the more free people are, better off they will be. Statist Socialism has made people more equal, true, but equally poorer. Except the elites, of course.
You say there is no such thing as the Soziale Marktwirtschaft , huh LOL! please shut up and do a google search!
You do know that Scandinavia ( Half of northern Europe) is pretty infamous for its very generous welfare, and large public sector? Their good with their money and don't spend beyond their means, Higher education is public so for that reason they have one of the best schooled and trained work forces around.
"is pretty infamous for its very generous welfare, and large public sector" Yes, and I know they've been de-regulating a lot in the past decades. Because... you know... they stagnated with all that welfare.
They also can choose which schools to go, hence freedom of choice and better environment for competition than the state monopoly on education. Still, private schooling was much cheaper and better quality in the early US. Same for healthcare.
@Obasiliasfilosofos So, paying for defense is a good sign, right? Yea, I guess because they have competitive taxes, they're called "money laundering havens". How sophisticated the propaganda is.
@FritZz81 Healthcare is no different. Since the beginning of the civilization the doctors/healers have always been a respected trade. Medicine have evolved thanks to profit driven free market. Do you think the scientists have invented MRI, and antibiotics out of good heart? No! They were mostly driven by profit making. If you take away profits from healthcare, you would slow down or halt the innovation completely. I guess that explains why most of the medical breakthrough still comes from US.
@arby22207 Free market doesn't make life better for everybody.. Only for people who are actually part of the system. All others rely on social securities, which isn't a part of the free market: it's a safety net. Look at your own country and the statistics. How many people don't have medical insurance? How many were fired and/or evicted because of a market failure? Free market = either you compete or you're kicked out. And then there's the exploitation of other countries of course.
@FritZz81 Everybody is part of the system unless you've been living in the cave for the past ten years. I was able to get a jab when I was in high school. If I have that jab right now for full time, I could still support myself with a decent healthcare. I might not able to afford all the things I want, but I would still be much better off than most of the people in third world country. There are no reason for anybody with an able body and mind to not make a living for himself/herself in US.
@arby22207 It's nice to know you're taken care of if you loose your job or get a medical condition. It gives us a feeling of security. And it's not a noble thing because I also benefit. Besides healthcare, low poverty and crime in my country also increase my own living standards.But I think the US is a great country with huge potential, I just think you're taking capitalism too far(as we've seen in this crisis). And please stop the corporate fundings of political parties, it corrupts everything.
@FritZz81 As for the capitalism, it works MUCH MUCH better than the communism. When the pilgrims first got to America they had a communal property system which turned out to be a disaster. They needed help from the Indians to survive through the winter. This is the true origins of Thanksgiving. Needless to say they abandoned communalism in favor of property rights. Capitalism works because people are self-serving by nature. Serving others' interests to serve your own - it doesn't get any better.
@arby22207 If everyone is given the option to donate out of free will without any strings attached, I wonder how you would want to organize this.Do you think people should be free to choose to who their money is going, or should all donations go in one big jar and be distributed by the government?Any idea what it's gonna cost to organize this? In my country I'm not considered a leftwing. Even our most rightwing parties wouldn't dare touch the fundaments of our social system, because it works.
@FritZz81 What social system that works? NHS are failing all over the Europe, and Europe has high unemployment rate. Here in America we don't have to wait months to see doctors and dentists, and the quality of heath care is superb. Even in this economy it's still relatively easier to find a job in US even for unskilled workers. What I don't understand is that if an illegal immigrants can find a jab and support himself and his family, how could any US born Americans not do the same?
@arby22207 I'm talking about the liberal/social capitalist systems we in the Netherlands and countries like denmark have,not Europe as a whole.And I'm sure your medic care is fine, but it's not accessible for everyone and people are still left to die.And sure we do have a slightly bigger waiting period for some (non-urgent) medical conditions.But that's a small price to pay when everyone is given proper treatment. There's no such thing as a perfect system,but leaving people to die is the worst.
@arby22207 And I don't know where you got the idea Europe has high unemployment? You're probably talking about countries like greece, italy and portugal.There are lots of european countries who did a lot better during this crisis than the US has. I can only speak for my own country which still has low unemployment, few evictions and low poverty.You should look up the top10-lists of "best countries to live" and "happiest people", they're almost all european "social" countries.Taxmoney spent well.
UK, we have NHS, but, it is a failing service due to pressure of demand. Free education up to college, but the standard has dropped dramatically. Every part of the public service infrastructure is failing and workers have to pay Income tax, National Insurance and everyone VAT at 20%. I have 2 jobs, some have 3, just to get by. The only job that pays in the UK is being a jobless single (officially single) mother with a load of kids, then you will always have cash and tax won't come in to it.
@MegaLongshaft what newspaper have you been reading? Daily mail probably. shut up about the NHS, you don't know how lucky you are. You don't need 2 jobs to get buy! what kind of warped world do you live in? tax increases and decreases with your wage.. has this passed you buy? Thanks to our welfare state there is a firm safety net to help people who get put out of work, its true that some people abuse this but the idea that you think its comfortable being a single mother on benefits is appalling.
@maccyjames64 Ok let me put it this way, a never worked friend of ours has one child never worked and get all her bills paid and rent plus she has £1000 cash in her pocket every month. Another woman has 3 children, 4 bed council house, all paid for plus £1500 cash in her pocket, what planet are you living on? Tax increase/decrease with earnings? Yeah what about VAT on electric and gas? Insurances? Council Tax? Cost of food, cost of fuel. The only people I know living comfortably are unemployed!
@maccyjames64 How old are you? This is important, I have yet to come across an adult that doesn't have the same views, unless they themselves are long term unemployed and so don't recognise the struggle that working men and women face. Your view of the UK is appalling and of how much of a struggle working people face! Believe you me, in the UK, you are far better unemployed and with kids, than working! In many cases at minimum what you get is the same as what you get after tax on a 20K salary!
@maccyjames64 As for the NHS, I never said we weren't lucky to have it, but its failing rapidly! My inlaws have both been in hospital recently and it was organised chaos. There are waiting lists of years, even to see your GP now can take weeks and weeks! Just for thr NHS to stand still takes an increase of 8% every year, this means an increase of 4% is the same as a cut of 4%, what kind of service is that? One that will bankrupt the country! It was a good idea, but it cannot cope in today's UK.
@maccyjames64 As for me having two jobs, how fucking dare you say you don't need two jobs to get by! Are you rich or just some stupid student or both? I have two kids and in order to pay for nursery fees £400 alone, plus rent, plus everything else, without poncing off of the state, I need two jobs and to work 7 days a week. Seriously, you really sound out of touch with the real world. Do you think I want to work 2 jobs? That comment was by far the most idiotic thing said!
@MegaLongshaft I respect the fact that you work hard to avoid benefits and I am sorry for being rude. I do also feel anger towards those that live off the state unnecessarily, however, if you think being a single mum living off benefits is easy then you are sadly misinformed. Though the system may be abused in some cases, when it is used as it is meant to it is entirely just.
@maccyjames64 I have to disagree with you, knowing mums at my kids school, knowing other people who have the same experiences, you are wrong. Being a single WORKING mum, is hard depending on what you earn, but unemployed single mum, no way, they really have it made. I don't know of one single unemployed single mother who has a harder life than everyone else who is working.
@MegaLongshaft People will always be put out of work (due to economic cycles, injury, divorce ect.) and it is right that there is a safety net in place to stop them falling into poverty, as they did before National Insurance was brought in, in 1911.
The NHS is not failing, you may have been brought under that impression by whatever newspapers but this is not true
@maccyjames64 Yeah that is exactly what the benefit system was there for, I don't have anything against that. What I do hate is a system that allows people to earn a living from being on benefits, a system that allows people to come in the country, claim everything and contribute nothing. The NHS, I am convinced is failing, I know this as I have worked for 11 years in the Public Sector, I know people, I've seen the facts.education, health, police, prison, public transport, it is all in trouble
@MegaLongshaft . It is reorganised at the beginning of any new government and obviously cuts need to be made due to the deficit, however the system is by no means failing, it has its ups and downs over the years but healthcare has vastly improved since its formation. Life expectancy in this country has gone up a large amount in recent years and is still on the rise, it would be appalling to deny people basic healthcare on the basis of wage.
@maccyjames64 I think you'll find it is failing, if a service requires 8% increase every year just to stand still, that to me is a failing service. I've had and I know of a lot of people who have had awful experiences with the NHS, hospital A&E areas packed every day, 9 hour waits, several weeks wait to see a GP, botched operations does this sound like a successful service?
this video is misleading...those reasons are why you may have an issue with our tax rate, but thats not why America resists paying taxes. Americans, as a whole, dont want to fund those sort of things because the elites have played the poor and working class against one another. Ideas like health care and pensions are positioned as "socialism" and "helping the lazy"....etc. So our taxes go to feeding our military and prison industries, because social consciousness is now a dirty phrase in U.S.
@flipgood89 The problem with your comment is that you say "Americans, as a whole". I'm sure your story is the reason for some, but not for me and definitely "a whole". At least Pro says the reason he gives is for some. Besides, Americans are very charitable.
@igotsissues ....fair enough. How about majority? And charity is great and all, but a patchwork of people choosing to help here or there is nowhere near as good as ordering a society to be as decent as it can be toward the least from a systemic level. it's a bandaid on a problem exacerbated by right wing policies. a soup kitchen does jack shyt for 45million uninsured. If we as Americans demanded our tax dollars go towards social programs it would happen. But we've been wired to be selfish...
Had this debate with my "peers" many a times. Overall, I find it hard to disagree. Dont believe Protean, dont believe me. Dont believe ANYTHING. Go grab the numbers do the math yourself. Even us a mighty american corporation google to do your searching.
What about a state like Texas where you can make $150,000 and pay less than 30% of your income in taxes??? Marginal federal income tax rates keep us from paying a lot. The high taxes are often from states. California for example goes crazy, and the majority of that money is spent on state services. The problem is American governments are so bad at doing anything that Cali is still screwed up. This is why I don't want my taxes raises and spent like Europeans taxes are.
Thanks for the update, as a Norwegian and European I consider myself informed, but I still find it useful to be reminded of what I do have in my country compared to others. I often find it difficult to understand what is the pros and cons in other countries, so this was a useful update for me. Regarding public transportation: in Norway we see a lot of negative criticism towards the government in media and the way they treat public transportation and the choices we have to make. Is it unfair?
Americans don't care for each other. They spend all of their tax money for wars, which only enrich the criminal banking elite. But they protest having their taxes used for healthcare for all Americans. Only now, when the country is going down the tubes (and they don't have the money) are they considering universal healthcare. But it's too late. America is finished.
The reason most people are against high taxes are because governments in almost every single country are terrible at spending money. They on general pay more for employees who are of a poorer quality and work less hours and less days then there private sector counterparts, all while collecting a nice pension which private sector employees usually dont get.
No matter what the job/project big or small it will be overcomplicated, inefficient and over budget.
@deathByStupid That's a sweeping generalization and assumption. Unless you've been to almost every single country or spoken with peeps in every one, you wouldn't know. The quality in a lot of Euro countries is pretty good. You sound like you're just regurgitating what some talking head told you. Every place isn't the US with overpriced care. Some Scand countries offer good care and a reasonable price.
@igotsissues I have worked in multiple countries varying from 5% tax to 45% tax there is nothing that 45% tax pays for that i could not have bought myself. But what i do see in every country is people i work with in public sector work much less then private sector, they will admit as much.
I am not just refering to healthcare, but to everything i dont think there is any project public sector can do as efficiently as the private. There is no incentive to cut costs, you can always tax more.
@deathByStupid Nonsense! He just told you about all the good things Europeans have. The people I've talked to from there seem happy with them, which suggests that those programs run well. For example, Europe has a magnificent train system that features 100 mph bullet trains. They seem to run that highly-complex system very well. Result: to go somewhere Europeans have a choice other than driving yourself into exhaustion or getting stuffed onto an over-full plane after an airport misery-fest.
@trisoctehedron I have lived in Germany before and their training system is great, but the comparisson is largely irrelevant. Germany has a population density of 229/km2 France 116/km2 while USA has 33.7/km2
Very few locations would have a economically viable bullet training system, i guess Cal, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut are probably the only areas
But i never said that taxes dont buy cool stuff, simply said public projects are usually expensive and inefficient.
@Solitas777 ...made by EZB IMF etc. - it is just FIATmoney. would not worry about that... look at Island... why the media does not report on them anymore? ;)
the entire planets' economy has already collapsed. fractional reserve banking has drained everything-into the central banksters' pockets. they wallpaper over this inconvenience in a well=propagandized effort to suck every last dime from us before it is obvious to the most blithering idiot that said crash has already occurred. AND, pass as many bullshit "1984" laws on us before the truth is revealed.
One thing I'd like to add to Proteanview's video when he asks whether you want high taxes or low taxes and what comes with either one is you should also compare the crime rate in America to that of Norway... or many other European countries. We might spend less on prisons and defence but our crime rates are lower. I'm not knocking America, far from it (I'm actually moving there after I finish my education), just simply putting that out there.
@Terrr05 I was responding to this: "We might spend less on prisons and defence but our crime rates are lower. I'm not knocking America, far from it (I'm actually moving there after I finish my education), just simply putting that out there." In essence I was agreeing with you.
In America, imprisoning our people is big business.
I'd rather pay lower (or none!) taxes and deal with crime, education, medical, ect. ect. ect. on my own. Crime is a problem ? BUY A GUN AND CARRY IT! Education is a problem ? TURN OFF THE TV, for at least 1 fking hour. Ultimately. I see all this tax shit as people getting lazy and giving up responsibility for their own lives. You don't need a government to wipe your ass every time you shit. Take up responsibility for your own life, don't live under anyone's heel. (that's my philosophy)
@nate556 I will pay taxes because that way we can take care of problem collectively. If guns are answer to problem, why is U.S. so violent. Education is free, libraries are free, plenty of education available. If I get sick/injured, I don't have to worry about bills at the time when I'm not able to work. I was unemployed recently, and because of social security and I'm in union, I didn't go broke.
It is not giving up responsibility, if anything, it freeing more time for myself do to what I want.
@Saukko31 Until the people who pay taxes go broke. Companies are going to take their business places where taxes aren't so high, and when there are no more jobs, and no more taxes, what do you do ? Starve, or lean on another country to support you.
@nate556 Is that why you dropped out of school at 14? Look, no taxes means no free education. Smart move. Everyone carrying guns and shooting each other at their own free will? Yeah, welcome to Af-fuckin-ghanistan. No free medical? Well, as far as I know, America doesn't have that, but my father just had heart surgery which would have cost an unimaginable amount of money, but fortunately that evil tax thingy actually helped us. No taxes = bad. Taxes = good. There's NO disputing that, sorry.
@Terrr05 There is no such thing as free. Taxes pay for education that doesn't educate that well. As for everyone carrying guns. Guns should only be used in self defense. Are you against people defending themselves ? And you do know if MORE people had guns, and there werent gun-free zones, crime would be much lower.
I dropped out of school at 14 because public education sucks. I was always getting into fights, and I wasn't learning anything. It was the best move.
The Federal Reserve steals everything. The system is rigged sense 1913 when the FED and the IRS were created to steal American wealth. The national debt is completely contrived, we have crony capitalism. If we had a free market everyone would have wealth,unless you are to lazy to work.
"more money than most americans can afford to save" only because we spend our cash on big screen TV's and 20 inch rims for our escalades instead of putting it back.
A lot of this also has to do with a general misunderstanding of government to begin with. Many people view government as an outside or foreign entity that wants to take control of people and take away their hard earned income, rather than as an entity made of the people for the purpose of serving the people. This type of ignorance is very common here, so there is a strong anti-government and therefore anti-tax sentiment.
When the conservative elites talk about tax cuts they're talking about tax cuts for themselves, not for the majority of their voters. They are perfectly happy with handing out lousy $300-1200 rebate checks every 4 years or so because they know they will get that all back (and then some) at the gas pumps, insurance bills e.t.c. They know the minds of their sheep and manipulate them through their fear, hatred and pride to get their blind support and votes.
Freedom in America is laughable when many European countries are treated MUCH better and more freely, despite having no written-down individual rights.
Anyway.
If Americans do not get anything of value for their taxes, perhaps certain freedoms should be taken advantage of, and the overall system in place in US government should be whitewashed, and re-thought. What do you want more? Do you want to go out and kill- err, sorry, DEFEND against other countries, or do you want healthcare?
Americans pay federal taxes to pay the interest on all the money the US federal government borrowed from the federal reserve which, by the way, is in fact a PRIVATE bank that has achieved immunity from both the supreme court and even congress. yes, it is a privately owned commercial bank that cannot be touched by anyone.
the wars by the way are paid for with even more loans. no way it could be by just taxes.
maintenance or roads and police and whatever are all paid for by state taxes.
Very nice video and very well said. Although, there is something to the idea that Americans value freedom over security (yes, even thinking Americans, not just rednecks). I personally would rather have less benefits and a higher cost of living if it means that I'm not at the mercy of a government that can turn totalitarian in a second. I think it's great if people feel different, though - more power to you. Europe can be a haven for "security-lovers" and America one for "freedom-lovers".
Proteanview, you are right on. I lived in America for 28 years, before I relocated to Europe. We ended up saving almost 15 grand a year just on free insurance, transportation, child care, paid sick days (Yes in Germany you still get paid if you call off sick) Vacation, paid holidays. Most Americans have been brainwashed to bash socialism because the rich will be forced to pay taxes as well. America's middle class will disappear as they pay most of the taxes.Then, they will beg for socialism.
@furmountain21 You spelled weak wrong genius. Let me guess, when the middle class disappears and your eating out of tin cans you'll still be clinging to American Capitalism as your savior? The same system that put you in that place in the first place. You have no clue...
@furmountain21 The most ignorant of Europeans (The ones that are always most heard for some reason) think Americans are retarded for complaining about taxes. That's as far as their sight goes in the issue. When the truth of the matter is that United States citizens complain about taxes because their taxes go to retarded stupid shit, like war. The ignorant of the Europeans don't see that, and just see us as being lazy and not wanting to pay for a better community. Which couldn't be more wrong.
@SeriouslyPissedOff But then why do the protests not address those issues? I mean I'm all in favor of protests, and I think we don't protest the stupid shit our governments in Europe do with our taxes nearly enough, but when you hear Americans protest I don't hear reasoned arguments like the one you present. I hear stupid arguments like "why do we punish success?" and "if we try taxing our rich they'll run away." And not just from idiots on the street, but leaders of the GOP and Teaparties.
@megamarsvin That's because I left out one HUGE detail about the majority of the American people: They're idiots.
I wish I had a grand explanation for you, but that's the only thing that properly answers your concerns. The American people are downright stupid. (At the very least, the ones in power are, which are very appealing to follow which then makes everyone else seem stupid.)
This is exactly why I want leave the US and move to Mexico or somewhere in Europe
erobles001 3 weeks ago
Yeah, maybe you should look at how Europe is doing now, hanging by the neck, with Greece having drug shortages.
romanmir01 2 months ago
@romanmir01 Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg - all doing as well or better than The States. I've lived in and visited many of those places. I don't rely on CNN to tell me how they work. The US isn't exactly in great shape herself, in case you hadn't noticed.
proteanview 2 months ago
@proteanview I left USA and Canada to do business in Asia, I am currently in Germany and spend time in Switzerland, UK and many Eastern European countries.
While Germany and Switzerland will likely survive the economic collapse and in fact probably even thrive through it by returning to a more sound fiscal policy, most of the rest of the Europe will not be as lucky, and they don't produce much to be able to pay for the services they get. Of-course US subsidizes their military
romanmir01 1 month ago
@romanmir01 Then you might be aware that the Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, German, Swiss economies are at least as stable, if not more so, than the economy of The States.
We both pay taxes. I'd rather mine provide health care to other Americans than blow up foreigners or 'liberate' them. Europe can no more sustain their services than we can sustain our military spending. We're hanging 'by our neck,' too, but for bowing up too many folks instead of caring for them.
proteanview 1 month ago
@proteanview US economy is in worse condition than people admit, and this the problem created by the government in the first place - government growth is unsustainable, nowhere else is government growing the way it does in US. The dollar is counterfeit, this pushes investment out of country and if Germany prints the way the rest of Europe wants, this is exactly the same thing that will happen to Germany. Switzerland just fixed exchange rate of Frank to Euro, so same thing again.
romanmir01 1 month ago
@proteanview Scandinavian countries are in fact moving towards more capitalism and less socialism, because they were suffering massive investment capital outflow, loss of productive jobs, loss of businesses. Norway is a special case actually, they are producing oil and gas and taxing the companies enough, basically to subsidise the country even to the point that nobody else would have to work at all, question is, what's the final result once oil and gas end in that country?
romanmir01 1 month ago
@proteanview Switzerland is actually an outlier in terms of regulations and taxes, they are very capitalistic, much more than everybody else in Europe and definitely much more than USA is. We negotiate how much taxes are paid (seriously, we negotiate with the canton and the rate changes year to year, but normally always becomes lower than year before), and with every referendum people vote to lower taxes.
romanmir01 1 month ago
@proteanview I agree with you: In US the corruption is such that the government created a situation that is more expensive to provide services that many get in Europe for the taxes. But this is not capitalism, in the sense that corruption is on government levels - gov't creates rules by stealing power from people to do business, but then gov't sells that power to whoever is willing to buy.
Gov't stealing power to sell it is the most basic gov't corruption, and it's blatant in US.
romanmir01 1 month ago
@proteanview However Europe is going to be in the same shape (safe for Germany/Switzerland and Scandinavia) if they give in to currency destruction, and the only reason Germany, Switzerland and Scandinavia won't be in the same fix as pretty much everybody else here is because these countries are producers and they can store money outside of Euro, which is likely to be destroyed, but USD will be destroyed first.
romanmir01 1 month ago
Carl Sagan was one of the first people to spread the word of how ridiculous the military funding is in the U.S. They need to invest in science, to invest in the future, not the destruction of other human beings.
Blackhawk1913 2 months ago
The welfare state over here in the United Kingdom is slowly being cut back, the government cut the funds to healthcare, it is still free though. There have been other cuts as well, in education and other sectors, in 2010 I was being paid, not just to go to university, but also being paid travelling expenses, which meant I was given more money than I needed to travel to university every week. Don't get those travelling expenses anymore. Damn David Cameron.
Blackhawk1913 2 months ago
I have lived and studied in both Norway and the United States and have no trouble choosing which one of them to live in. Protean is so right; the "averages" conceal the true nastiness of the US. In Norway taxes are high, luxuries are expensive. But the great mass of people live at a level around a comfortable mean. All Norwegians are careful with money and hate waste(in my experience). What Protean doesnt mention is that Norway also has a huge Sovereign Wealth Fund, a cushion for a rainy day
CobinRain 4 months ago
Agree with you there Protean View - move to Andorra!
matt999b 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
It's very true.. Europeans get a lot more for there money. Most Americans I know don't know how much many Europeans are getting for there tax dollars.Healthcare, College, Mass Transit ect..It's a shock to Europeans that come to America.. They can't belive we don't receive those things as they do.Americans that live in Europe sometimes adopt the idea that Europeans are spoiled for having those things. The American Government is a little more greedy towards it's people than many EU Countries.
RUNZLIG811 6 months ago
It's very true.. Europeans get a lot more for there money. Most Americans I know don't know how much many Europeans are getting for there tax dollars.Healthcare, College, Mass Transit ect..It's a shock to Europeans that come to America.. They can't belive we don't receive those things as they do.Americans that live in Europe sometimes adopt the idea that Europeans are spoiled for having those things. The American Government is a little more greedy towards it's people than many EU Countries.
RUNZLIG811 6 months ago
Americans dont like high taxes for social purposes cause they aren't bounded by the enormous chains of ethic & cultural solidarity.(to their defense its an involuntary process in Europe. a heritage)
A visualizing of the differences:
-the national identity in usa is a tree with 10 meters long roots,
-the Europeans(every nation individually) is a tree with 500 meters long roots.
the mare idea that a German would leave a fellow German dying helpless, because of those roots is inconceivable.
AmetReloads 7 months ago
@AmetReloads Have you ever been to Germany? Most Germans won't ever talk about their 'fellow German'. That's been a taboo since 1945; any mention of the good of 'das Volk' reminds people of Hitler. Many Germans also assert that their country is only as old as the Bundesrepublik, about 6 or 7 decades. Yes, they're happy for all the returns they get on their taxes, but that has nothing to do with helping their 'fellow German'. If anything, it would be for helping their fellow human being.
einLesenderArbeiter 6 months ago
Comment removed
AmetReloads 7 months ago
What do you think abot Ron Paul?
turbofritz2 7 months ago
Great video. I'm from Norway i don't pay more than 36% of income tax. Sweden and Denmark is higher that could be 48% But you make some good points.
But one thing is that but other thing is that both the US and Europe runs on fraud ecconomy systems. I mean the Fedral reserve debt ecconomy both imposed on us two. But certainly also used by IMF to enslave 3.rd world countries!!
turbofritz2 7 months ago 2
@turbofritz2
I only pay 10%
TimeWarp66 3 months ago
Canada's taxes and tax system are, like, in the middle ground.
tyrongkojy 7 months ago
America was way better of before income taxes even came about..If we could just pay only to the counties we ive in ,that would be better than all of this money being sucked down a little hole in Washington,DC..That is the problem,1 little area called Wasington,DC. and it gets most of our money that keeps the elite rich and powerfull..
CrashMarket 7 months ago
@CrashMarket Your income taxes SHOULD be going to all those programs. That's what SHOULD be happening. What actually happens, though.....
tyrongkojy 7 months ago
@tyrongkojy Income taxes are illegal and the IRS is a collection agency for a private bank..Taxes should be extremly low and easy to pay and only used for local needs ..They should not be used to keep millionaire senators and other politicians rich,they preach about doing great things but they never ever spend one cent of their money on anything..Besids income taxes which is based on what you make,there are endless amounts of hidden taxes.
CrashMarket 7 months ago
@CrashMarket You're right, they shouldn;t be used to keep peopel rich. One reason why everyone looks at your country so oodly. They SHOULD be used for roads, police, fire, heathcare, social security, etc. And I don;t mind paying higher taxes if I get those things. And no, they're not illegal. Judge: "Income tax is legal." Well, that's done. Supreme court: "Income tax is legal." End of that.
tyrongkojy 7 months ago
Comment removed
CrashMarket 7 months ago
@tyrongkojy I do not owe shit to no damn asshole paper shuffler in a office while he sits on his ass and does nothing ..Supreme Court is Supreme CRAP
CrashMarket 7 months ago
Located in Germany I can tell that the jobless statistics do not match reality. Wellfare is granted for jobless under the condition of giving up some of your legal rights. Also if the "client" doesn't check the mail everyday and react immediately to their request of filling pages of forms, or misses one of the many government's "invitations" they cut or reject the payment. Many people have longer periods of being thrown out of health insurance. Banks are hardly giving loans to those who need it
baum7des7lebens7 8 months ago
It' too late for a change. The banks are broke .We should have base sales ! Who couldn't use a good airport /drag strip minummum security closed rehab base . It's not the money, it's what we did with the money ! right on .thanks.
steviebkhall 9 months ago
Dear African... Let me explain
I can see why as a black man you are so obsessed with harping on Jews. It's not like the negroid race has imperfections that you could be working out or anything.
andrewsullar 9 months ago
@andrewsullar
Not everyone hates blacks, but pretty much everyone dislikes the Jews. Not saying it's right, but it's there.
iluvyouwyatt 8 months ago
this guy cant explain anything, he is so full of shit that it comes out his filthy mouth
JegHarEnLillePik 9 months ago
@JegHarEnLillePik Really? So what was your biggest problem with this video?
pololopo23 8 months ago
@JegHarEnLillePik Wow.... Now those are some STRONG arguments you provide us with.. Completely convinced me of your point.. NOT!!! Maybe it's time to throw that keyboard of yours out of the window.. Really..
enslavetherich 6 months ago
Tax rate doesn't equate to economic freedom. If you studied a little of European economy, you'd know those northern European countries have been liberalizing it's in the past decades. Specially Sweden.
Also, you cherry pick a lot, and leave the PIGS out. Why is that? Who is bailing them out? Germany and the US, that's who. Why?
Not all Europeans are deluded by the Socialist propaganda.
Freedom, liberty, buzzwords? It would be funny if it wasn't sad.
darkr0astedblend 11 months ago
Welfare state needs high taxes but it will only lead to high unemployment rate, uninspired, and unproductive people. In fact Europeans have much higher unemployment rate than Americans. America also has the best universities in the world. Not to mention most of the innovations and medical breakthroughs come America. America files more patents than rest of the world combined. Many of those patents are filed owned by American universities.
arby22207 11 months ago
If the Tea Party, which has staked its identity on the basis of the idea of reducing government spending and reducing taxation is not critical of the massive waste that goes on with out of control spending on the military, and yet at the same is hyper critical of spending o education, healthcare, and other necessities, then they are big hypocrites. They are for welfare, but they are for welfare in the worst form, in that they support corporate welfare.
alphacause 1 year ago
Americans are selfish!! VERY SELFISH! That is why you don't want to share some money to the state and the poor.
Btw...stop do millitary things...make peace!
Like the comment below me...sweden pwn you all! (in all kind of ways)
YYeezzppeerr 1 year ago
@YYeezzppeerr Its not about being selfish. Whatever developed country you are in, its the Middle Class that keep that country above economic collapse. You watch, whenever tax increases come out, this increase that increase, its always the assault on the Middle Class, because they make up the majority. If these people are working all the hours to make ends meat, they will be angry if it goes to the person down the road who doesn't want to work because they get everything for nothing.
MegaLongshaft 1 year ago
@YYeezzppeerr Tthe state has a duty to support the unemployed, but here in the UK, there are people who have never been employed, never worked, in any capacity, but receive more in benefits than most workers who are struggling to make an honest living. This is wrong. It is the fault of the system! However, you can't blame someone who works 50+ hours a week in order to look after his/her family hating the fact that someone who doesn't work, can live a life of luxury with zero contribution!
MegaLongshaft 1 year ago
I've worked in 3 continents and can honestly say I'd rather pay the tax. I now live in Sweden, where you do not even need a car and wont miss it. The public transport is efficient, timely and clean. Both parents get parental leave, I pay no more than $160 a year for medicine - the rest is free - my kids get free education from daycare right up till they get a phD - if I lose my job I wont starve - I'll still make mortgage payments comfortably. Im no laggard, I earn every cent, always have.
methuselus 1 year ago
imo the position of the community stands above the individual.That means everyone should take care of everyone. Not helping the poor isn't a "liberty", it's just shameful. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a communist. I'm only talking about basic human rights like healthcare, education and social security. You could call that socialism (which is a very scary word for a lot of americans), but I'd rather call it "human decency". Making money is fine, as long as everyone gets the same basic securities.
FritZz81 1 year ago
@FritZz81 I understand what you're saying and in theory, that is how it should be. However, it only works if people all work together. I don't know how it is in America, but over here in the UK, if they had a system where long term benefit claimants could do volunteer work, then I'd agree with your policy, but some of these people dwarf what many workers get, by claiming benefits. That is absolutely wrong! On top of that many don't want to contribute, thats when your policy runs in to trouble.
MegaLongshaft 1 year ago
@FritZz81 Helping poor shouldn't be an obligation. It should be individual's choice, that way it truly comes from one's heart. Paying tax is an obligation for working people, welfare is an entitlement for poor. In ideal world, I'd rather be able to donate to charity of my choice than paying high taxes.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 there's no such thing as an "ideal world", and people will not donate nearly enough money to the poor if they aren't forced to do so. It has to be done through taxes. Making money comes with responsability. And btw, low poverty has a direct result on crimerates, murders and general deterioration, which cost lots of money. Look at the US crime statistics and compare them to european "socialist" countries. It's ridiculous some rich countries still have poor people living on the streets
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 You'll be surprised how generous people can be once they get to keep most of their income. Many people are indifference towards the poor thinking the government will take care of them. Even in this forum I've read so many comments from UK working class resenting the poor for never having jabs but still able to get by
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 That's because humans are egocentric assholes by nature, who can't relate to others. And when, on top of this, you encourage individualism, like in the US, you get a fucked up society. That's how people get indifferent and self-centered. Capitalism stretched to it's limits. And of course social security should be very strict and should only be available for people who actually have some sort of disadvantage, and aren't able to work. But healthcare should be accessible for everyone.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 People have too much faith in government. If people are egocentric assholes by nature, how could the politicians be any different? The way i see it, when the individual is involved in altruism, its mostly out of good heart and ones reputation. When the Government is involved in altruism, politic outweighs good intention. The politicians will keep spending the tax money on where they think they have the best chance of getting reelected. The sad thing is - people keep electing them.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 I don't believe in altruism on a mass scale, with a few exceptions (like mother Theresa and Ghandi). And especcially not in a country where individualism has grown into a national culture. But what I don't understand is why a hardcore conservative christian nation like the US has such a anti-social system. Do americans actually believe the communist Jesus would approve their aggressive form of capitalism? I'm a born atheist myself and even I think it's too harsh.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 Christians believe free will to be the most important gift to humanity. You are free to commit sin, and free to be virtuous. Religions also encourage people to be law abiding, tax paying citizens while getting involved in volunteerism and donating money for charitable cause. When the government jacks up taxes and pass all sorts of ridiculous laws and regulations, it hinders with their mission. People become less generous and more apathetic.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 haha, religion.. A corrupted concept that is the cause of most of the worlds problems and conflicts. It makes people think they're morally superior and they only interpretate religious dogmas the way it fits them best. Not to mention the fact it's all made up bullshit from times people thought the earth was flat. To put it mildly: Religion has NO correlation with "doing good" what so ever, look at the statistics. Atheism however DOES show positive correlations in every field.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@arby22207 But tell me, if free will and individualism are so important to you.. Why can I legally buy weed and you can't? Why do we have gaymarriage, prostitution, abortion, euthanasia, etc? And besides that, our salaries are higher than the US and we've got more than enough to spend after paying taxes. And we are over 50% atheists WITH healthcare. The only parties in our country who are against any form of self-determination are the christian parties. Thank GOD they're not taken seriously..
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 I support legalization of drugs and gay marriage. Hell, I even support polygamy and prostitution. War on drug have cost us billions dollars and locked up so many of our otherwise productive citizens. We are all grown up, its non of governments' business what I do to my own body, but being a nanny/police state America is, we can't do any of that here.
arby22207 11 months ago
@FritZz81 As for religions, I grew up in a catholic family, but for me, religion is nothing more than just a family tradition or excuse to celebrate and get together such as holidays wedding, funerals and christianing. All the squabbling aside, I do believe in the fundamental or the golden rule of all religions which is not to do to others what you would not like yourself. I respect people of all different world religions or lack of as long as they don't get involved in politics.
arby22207 11 months ago
@FritZz81 There's nothing wrong with individualism. When you work to make a living for yourself, you are contributing to the society. Not only you're not a burden to other people, you're serving others directly or indirectly. In free market system, your income is the reflection of your contribution to the society.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 FYI I'm a pro-capitalist and I live in a capitalist country.But there's a huge difference between an extremistic form of capitalism and capitalism with social aspects. Which ISN'T socialism, let alone communism.Any extreme system doesn't work in the end. Whether it's communism or blunt capitalism. Stability comes with establishing some sort of compromise: The truth always lies between. Americans tend to think in extremes.They think there are only 2 options, capitalism or socialism.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 Most Americans are moderate. I'm actually the minority when it comes to politics and economy. Our gov't is ignoring US constitutions in favor of bigger gov't and welfare state. Our idiot politicians believe that more gov't spending and printing more money will help the economy.
arby22207 11 months ago
@FritZz81 On top of that they have the craziest ideas that US has to be the world police! Look where that got us, countless terrorists attacks and thousands of lost lives from war against terrorism. You say religions have caused most of the world's problems and conflicts, and there's no doubt about that, but I say the governments are equally to blame if not worse.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 And being the (highly selective) "world police" generated a lot of wealth for the US.The US only intervenes when there are profits to be made or when profits are jeopardized. Not out of social involvement. Wars just have to be lucrative. That's why your rightwing (corporate funded) governments invaded countries like Iraq,but left millions of africans to die in various genocides because there's nothing to gain. And Europe kisses up to the US in fear for economic consequences.
FritZz81 11 months ago
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arby22207 11 months ago
@FritZz81 Corporation doesn't discriminate left-wing or right-wing. Business have influence equally on both side of the political spectrum. A candidate cannot be elected without support from business. Furthermore, the left-wings are more likely to vote for corporate bailout than the right-wings. Left-wing has always been the meddling party, and right-wing used to stand for non-intervention.
arby22207 11 months ago
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@FritZz81 That's why right-wings are against welfare and NHS, but when it comes to foreign affair the corporate interests take over. So you are spot on about the corporations have huge influence on our gov't. That's more the reason why I'm such a skeptic when it comes to government.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 And again, I'm all in favour for individualism and freedom. We've got legalized weed, gaymarriages,prostitution, abortion,euthanasia, etc. Those are liberties the US doesn't have. I like to control my own life, BUT that doesn't mean I don't have a responsibility to people who are less fortunate. Someone who's born with a disadvantage deserves a decend life, and I'm gladly willing to help pay for it through taxes. And we may pay a lot of taxes, but we get a lot for it in return.
FritZz81 11 months ago
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@arby22207 And again, I'm all in favour for individualism and freedom. We've got legalized weed, gaymarriages,prostitution, abortion,euthanasia, etc. Those are liberties the US doesn't have. I like to control my own life, BUT that doesn't mean I don't have a responsibility to people who are less fortunate. Someone who's born with a disadvantage deserves a decend life, and I'm gladly willing to help pay for it through taxes. And we may pay a lot of taxes, but we get a lot for it in return.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 That's very noble of you, but have you ever thought that maybe some people have great ideas and want to spend their own money to start a new business which will create jabs? Don't you think having a jab is more meaningful than being at mercy of somebofy else? I'm all for helping poor but its more important for them to be able to find a jab and become independent. You can help more people by spending your own money or donate to charity of your choice than the gov't could ever accomplish
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 businesses create jobs, that's true. But not everyone is able to work and make a decend living, and the free market doesn't change anything about that fact. And you shouldn't treat healthcare like it's any other free enterprise, because it isn't. Profits compromise public health. I think the government should be responsible for all social securities in order to have a solid safety net beneath the free marketsystem. That stabilizes the unpredictability of the free market in a way.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 Free market changes everything. It makes life better for everybody. It's how Hong Kong and Taiwan came out of poverty. Free market doesn't make rich richer at the expense of the poor, which is the BIGGEST HOLLYWOOD LIE you ever hear. Our music and movies always vilify business and capitalist while they make millions. Now, that's hypocrisy. You would know what I'm talking about if you ever listen to Rage Against Machine or if you ever watched the movies; Wall Street, Syriana, and Avatar
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207
Hong Kong and Taiwan are not free market libertarian states, Their mixed economies like everybody else.
Obasiliasfilosofos 11 months ago
@Obasiliasfilosofos "free market libertarian states" Such things don't exist. Hong Kong has a pretty much unregulated market.
darkr0astedblend 11 months ago
@darkr0astedblend
Hong Kong has low regulation, not "no regulation".
Germany's Social market system has been a major success
Obasiliasfilosofos 11 months ago
@Obasiliasfilosofos So what if it has "no regulation". Social market? There is no such thing. There is a heavily regulated or low regulated market nowadays.
Compared to the Southern European countries, which are bankrupt, the northern ones are much more sane and free.
The fact is, the more free people are, better off they will be. Statist Socialism has made people more equal, true, but equally poorer. Except the elites, of course.
darkr0astedblend 11 months ago
@darkr0astedblend
You say there is no such thing as the Soziale Marktwirtschaft , huh LOL! please shut up and do a google search!
You do know that Scandinavia ( Half of northern Europe) is pretty infamous for its very generous welfare, and large public sector? Their good with their money and don't spend beyond their means, Higher education is public so for that reason they have one of the best schooled and trained work forces around.
Obasiliasfilosofos 11 months ago
@Obasiliasfilosofos Oh, you meant fascism.
"is pretty infamous for its very generous welfare, and large public sector" Yes, and I know they've been de-regulating a lot in the past decades. Because... you know... they stagnated with all that welfare.
They also can choose which schools to go, hence freedom of choice and better environment for competition than the state monopoly on education. Still, private schooling was much cheaper and better quality in the early US. Same for healthcare.
darkr0astedblend 11 months ago
@Obasiliasfilosofos Yes, but they both have less taxes and less government interventions compare to most European countries.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207
Hong Kong never had the burden of having to pay for their own defense, Their also a tax haven for money laundering.
Obasiliasfilosofos 11 months ago
@Obasiliasfilosofos So, paying for defense is a good sign, right? Yea, I guess because they have competitive taxes, they're called "money laundering havens". How sophisticated the propaganda is.
darkr0astedblend 11 months ago
@Obasiliasfilosofos I my opinion, military is a big waste of money.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207
Either everyone disbands their armies or nobody does.
Obasiliasfilosofos 11 months ago
@FritZz81 Healthcare is no different. Since the beginning of the civilization the doctors/healers have always been a respected trade. Medicine have evolved thanks to profit driven free market. Do you think the scientists have invented MRI, and antibiotics out of good heart? No! They were mostly driven by profit making. If you take away profits from healthcare, you would slow down or halt the innovation completely. I guess that explains why most of the medical breakthrough still comes from US.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 Free market doesn't make life better for everybody.. Only for people who are actually part of the system. All others rely on social securities, which isn't a part of the free market: it's a safety net. Look at your own country and the statistics. How many people don't have medical insurance? How many were fired and/or evicted because of a market failure? Free market = either you compete or you're kicked out. And then there's the exploitation of other countries of course.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 Everybody is part of the system unless you've been living in the cave for the past ten years. I was able to get a jab when I was in high school. If I have that jab right now for full time, I could still support myself with a decent healthcare. I might not able to afford all the things I want, but I would still be much better off than most of the people in third world country. There are no reason for anybody with an able body and mind to not make a living for himself/herself in US.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 It's nice to know you're taken care of if you loose your job or get a medical condition. It gives us a feeling of security. And it's not a noble thing because I also benefit. Besides healthcare, low poverty and crime in my country also increase my own living standards.But I think the US is a great country with huge potential, I just think you're taking capitalism too far(as we've seen in this crisis). And please stop the corporate fundings of political parties, it corrupts everything.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 As for the capitalism, it works MUCH MUCH better than the communism. When the pilgrims first got to America they had a communal property system which turned out to be a disaster. They needed help from the Indians to survive through the winter. This is the true origins of Thanksgiving. Needless to say they abandoned communalism in favor of property rights. Capitalism works because people are self-serving by nature. Serving others' interests to serve your own - it doesn't get any better.
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 If everyone is given the option to donate out of free will without any strings attached, I wonder how you would want to organize this.Do you think people should be free to choose to who their money is going, or should all donations go in one big jar and be distributed by the government?Any idea what it's gonna cost to organize this? In my country I'm not considered a leftwing. Even our most rightwing parties wouldn't dare touch the fundaments of our social system, because it works.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@FritZz81 What social system that works? NHS are failing all over the Europe, and Europe has high unemployment rate. Here in America we don't have to wait months to see doctors and dentists, and the quality of heath care is superb. Even in this economy it's still relatively easier to find a job in US even for unskilled workers. What I don't understand is that if an illegal immigrants can find a jab and support himself and his family, how could any US born Americans not do the same?
arby22207 11 months ago
@arby22207 I'm talking about the liberal/social capitalist systems we in the Netherlands and countries like denmark have,not Europe as a whole.And I'm sure your medic care is fine, but it's not accessible for everyone and people are still left to die.And sure we do have a slightly bigger waiting period for some (non-urgent) medical conditions.But that's a small price to pay when everyone is given proper treatment. There's no such thing as a perfect system,but leaving people to die is the worst.
FritZz81 11 months ago
@arby22207 And I don't know where you got the idea Europe has high unemployment? You're probably talking about countries like greece, italy and portugal.There are lots of european countries who did a lot better during this crisis than the US has. I can only speak for my own country which still has low unemployment, few evictions and low poverty.You should look up the top10-lists of "best countries to live" and "happiest people", they're almost all european "social" countries.Taxmoney spent well.
FritZz81 11 months ago
UK, we have NHS, but, it is a failing service due to pressure of demand. Free education up to college, but the standard has dropped dramatically. Every part of the public service infrastructure is failing and workers have to pay Income tax, National Insurance and everyone VAT at 20%. I have 2 jobs, some have 3, just to get by. The only job that pays in the UK is being a jobless single (officially single) mother with a load of kids, then you will always have cash and tax won't come in to it.
MegaLongshaft 1 year ago
@MegaLongshaft what newspaper have you been reading? Daily mail probably. shut up about the NHS, you don't know how lucky you are. You don't need 2 jobs to get buy! what kind of warped world do you live in? tax increases and decreases with your wage.. has this passed you buy? Thanks to our welfare state there is a firm safety net to help people who get put out of work, its true that some people abuse this but the idea that you think its comfortable being a single mother on benefits is appalling.
maccyjames64 1 year ago
@maccyjames64 Ok let me put it this way, a never worked friend of ours has one child never worked and get all her bills paid and rent plus she has £1000 cash in her pocket every month. Another woman has 3 children, 4 bed council house, all paid for plus £1500 cash in her pocket, what planet are you living on? Tax increase/decrease with earnings? Yeah what about VAT on electric and gas? Insurances? Council Tax? Cost of food, cost of fuel. The only people I know living comfortably are unemployed!
MegaLongshaft 1 year ago
@maccyjames64 How old are you? This is important, I have yet to come across an adult that doesn't have the same views, unless they themselves are long term unemployed and so don't recognise the struggle that working men and women face. Your view of the UK is appalling and of how much of a struggle working people face! Believe you me, in the UK, you are far better unemployed and with kids, than working! In many cases at minimum what you get is the same as what you get after tax on a 20K salary!
MegaLongshaft 1 year ago
@maccyjames64 As for the NHS, I never said we weren't lucky to have it, but its failing rapidly! My inlaws have both been in hospital recently and it was organised chaos. There are waiting lists of years, even to see your GP now can take weeks and weeks! Just for thr NHS to stand still takes an increase of 8% every year, this means an increase of 4% is the same as a cut of 4%, what kind of service is that? One that will bankrupt the country! It was a good idea, but it cannot cope in today's UK.
MegaLongshaft 1 year ago
@maccyjames64 As for me having two jobs, how fucking dare you say you don't need two jobs to get by! Are you rich or just some stupid student or both? I have two kids and in order to pay for nursery fees £400 alone, plus rent, plus everything else, without poncing off of the state, I need two jobs and to work 7 days a week. Seriously, you really sound out of touch with the real world. Do you think I want to work 2 jobs? That comment was by far the most idiotic thing said!
MegaLongshaft 1 year ago
@MegaLongshaft I respect the fact that you work hard to avoid benefits and I am sorry for being rude. I do also feel anger towards those that live off the state unnecessarily, however, if you think being a single mum living off benefits is easy then you are sadly misinformed. Though the system may be abused in some cases, when it is used as it is meant to it is entirely just.
maccyjames64 11 months ago
@maccyjames64 I have to disagree with you, knowing mums at my kids school, knowing other people who have the same experiences, you are wrong. Being a single WORKING mum, is hard depending on what you earn, but unemployed single mum, no way, they really have it made. I don't know of one single unemployed single mother who has a harder life than everyone else who is working.
MegaLongshaft 11 months ago
@MegaLongshaft People will always be put out of work (due to economic cycles, injury, divorce ect.) and it is right that there is a safety net in place to stop them falling into poverty, as they did before National Insurance was brought in, in 1911.
The NHS is not failing, you may have been brought under that impression by whatever newspapers but this is not true
maccyjames64 11 months ago
@maccyjames64 Yeah that is exactly what the benefit system was there for, I don't have anything against that. What I do hate is a system that allows people to earn a living from being on benefits, a system that allows people to come in the country, claim everything and contribute nothing. The NHS, I am convinced is failing, I know this as I have worked for 11 years in the Public Sector, I know people, I've seen the facts.education, health, police, prison, public transport, it is all in trouble
MegaLongshaft 11 months ago
@MegaLongshaft . It is reorganised at the beginning of any new government and obviously cuts need to be made due to the deficit, however the system is by no means failing, it has its ups and downs over the years but healthcare has vastly improved since its formation. Life expectancy in this country has gone up a large amount in recent years and is still on the rise, it would be appalling to deny people basic healthcare on the basis of wage.
maccyjames64 11 months ago
@maccyjames64 I think you'll find it is failing, if a service requires 8% increase every year just to stand still, that to me is a failing service. I've had and I know of a lot of people who have had awful experiences with the NHS, hospital A&E areas packed every day, 9 hour waits, several weeks wait to see a GP, botched operations does this sound like a successful service?
MegaLongshaft 11 months ago
this video is misleading...those reasons are why you may have an issue with our tax rate, but thats not why America resists paying taxes. Americans, as a whole, dont want to fund those sort of things because the elites have played the poor and working class against one another. Ideas like health care and pensions are positioned as "socialism" and "helping the lazy"....etc. So our taxes go to feeding our military and prison industries, because social consciousness is now a dirty phrase in U.S.
flipgood89 1 year ago
@flipgood89 The problem with your comment is that you say "Americans, as a whole". I'm sure your story is the reason for some, but not for me and definitely "a whole". At least Pro says the reason he gives is for some. Besides, Americans are very charitable.
igotsissues 1 year ago
@igotsissues ....fair enough. How about majority? And charity is great and all, but a patchwork of people choosing to help here or there is nowhere near as good as ordering a society to be as decent as it can be toward the least from a systemic level. it's a bandaid on a problem exacerbated by right wing policies. a soup kitchen does jack shyt for 45million uninsured. If we as Americans demanded our tax dollars go towards social programs it would happen. But we've been wired to be selfish...
flipgood89 1 year ago
ah yes, but at least americns can buy lots of cheap donuts and so they are happy fatties.
Blueyedblondeful 1 year ago
You my friend have a refreshing way of looking at and explaining things, thumbs up and adds to favourite for your message.
Maxuskrachus 1 year ago
taxes arent theft in the EU theyr theft in USA
genericteen 1 year ago
Taxes are theft. Talking about how to fund programs from taxes is conspiracy to commit theft.
sdkee 1 year ago
Where is your video, Dear Africa?
BlakeBarbieDoll 1 year ago
what this guy really would love to explain to us evil europeans is that we should have killed all the jews when we had the chance.
killing all the jews is proteanviews number one fantasy
dirtywhores4cash 1 year ago
Had this debate with my "peers" many a times. Overall, I find it hard to disagree. Dont believe Protean, dont believe me. Dont believe ANYTHING. Go grab the numbers do the math yourself. Even us a mighty american corporation google to do your searching.
daeamarth 1 year ago
I agree, and you said it better than I could have.
trisoctehedron 1 year ago
What about a state like Texas where you can make $150,000 and pay less than 30% of your income in taxes??? Marginal federal income tax rates keep us from paying a lot. The high taxes are often from states. California for example goes crazy, and the majority of that money is spent on state services. The problem is American governments are so bad at doing anything that Cali is still screwed up. This is why I don't want my taxes raises and spent like Europeans taxes are.
tharock220 1 year ago
Thanks for the update, as a Norwegian and European I consider myself informed, but I still find it useful to be reminded of what I do have in my country compared to others. I often find it difficult to understand what is the pros and cons in other countries, so this was a useful update for me. Regarding public transportation: in Norway we see a lot of negative criticism towards the government in media and the way they treat public transportation and the choices we have to make. Is it unfair?
tkrokli 1 year ago
Americans don't care for each other. They spend all of their tax money for wars, which only enrich the criminal banking elite. But they protest having their taxes used for healthcare for all Americans. Only now, when the country is going down the tubes (and they don't have the money) are they considering universal healthcare. But it's too late. America is finished.
freedomfighterone 1 year ago
what do you know of anything proteanview???
You cant lecture millions of educated people on the basis of your narrow views.
dirtywhores4cash 1 year ago
The reason most people are against high taxes are because governments in almost every single country are terrible at spending money. They on general pay more for employees who are of a poorer quality and work less hours and less days then there private sector counterparts, all while collecting a nice pension which private sector employees usually dont get.
No matter what the job/project big or small it will be overcomplicated, inefficient and over budget.
deathByStupid 1 year ago
@deathByStupid That's a sweeping generalization and assumption. Unless you've been to almost every single country or spoken with peeps in every one, you wouldn't know. The quality in a lot of Euro countries is pretty good. You sound like you're just regurgitating what some talking head told you. Every place isn't the US with overpriced care. Some Scand countries offer good care and a reasonable price.
igotsissues 1 year ago
@igotsissues I have worked in multiple countries varying from 5% tax to 45% tax there is nothing that 45% tax pays for that i could not have bought myself. But what i do see in every country is people i work with in public sector work much less then private sector, they will admit as much.
I am not just refering to healthcare, but to everything i dont think there is any project public sector can do as efficiently as the private. There is no incentive to cut costs, you can always tax more.
deathByStupid 1 year ago
@deathByStupid Nonsense! He just told you about all the good things Europeans have. The people I've talked to from there seem happy with them, which suggests that those programs run well. For example, Europe has a magnificent train system that features 100 mph bullet trains. They seem to run that highly-complex system very well. Result: to go somewhere Europeans have a choice other than driving yourself into exhaustion or getting stuffed onto an over-full plane after an airport misery-fest.
trisoctehedron 1 year ago
@trisoctehedron I have lived in Germany before and their training system is great, but the comparisson is largely irrelevant. Germany has a population density of 229/km2 France 116/km2 while USA has 33.7/km2
Very few locations would have a economically viable bullet training system, i guess Cal, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut are probably the only areas
But i never said that taxes dont buy cool stuff, simply said public projects are usually expensive and inefficient.
deathByStupid 1 year ago
Good points protean. However, you don't acknowledge the insolvency of European nations. I agree we pay too much and dont get much back.
Solitas777 1 year ago
@Solitas777 ...made by EZB IMF etc. - it is just FIATmoney. would not worry about that... look at Island... why the media does not report on them anymore? ;)
ClaasStoertebeker 1 year ago
@Solitas777 Insolvency of European nations? USA is insolvent bro. Norway, Netherlands, Switzerland, etc are far more solvent than the USA.
igotsissues 1 year ago
the entire planets' economy has already collapsed. fractional reserve banking has drained everything-into the central banksters' pockets. they wallpaper over this inconvenience in a well=propagandized effort to suck every last dime from us before it is obvious to the most blithering idiot that said crash has already occurred. AND, pass as many bullshit "1984" laws on us before the truth is revealed.
we are already cooked, folks.
wolfgangfaust 1 year ago
One thing I'd like to add to Proteanview's video when he asks whether you want high taxes or low taxes and what comes with either one is you should also compare the crime rate in America to that of Norway... or many other European countries. We might spend less on prisons and defence but our crime rates are lower. I'm not knocking America, far from it (I'm actually moving there after I finish my education), just simply putting that out there.
Terrr05 1 year ago
@Terrr05 No you are right. Because imprisoning our own people is BIG BUSINESS.
Zuul030 1 year ago
@Zuul030 Eh?
Terrr05 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Terrr05 I was responding to this: "We might spend less on prisons and defence but our crime rates are lower. I'm not knocking America, far from it (I'm actually moving there after I finish my education), just simply putting that out there." In essence I was agreeing with you.
In America, imprisoning our people is big business.
Zuul030 1 year ago
I'd rather pay lower (or none!) taxes and deal with crime, education, medical, ect. ect. ect. on my own. Crime is a problem ? BUY A GUN AND CARRY IT! Education is a problem ? TURN OFF THE TV, for at least 1 fking hour. Ultimately. I see all this tax shit as people getting lazy and giving up responsibility for their own lives. You don't need a government to wipe your ass every time you shit. Take up responsibility for your own life, don't live under anyone's heel. (that's my philosophy)
nate556 1 year ago
@nate556 I will pay taxes because that way we can take care of problem collectively. If guns are answer to problem, why is U.S. so violent. Education is free, libraries are free, plenty of education available. If I get sick/injured, I don't have to worry about bills at the time when I'm not able to work. I was unemployed recently, and because of social security and I'm in union, I didn't go broke.
It is not giving up responsibility, if anything, it freeing more time for myself do to what I want.
Saukko31 1 year ago
@Saukko31 Until the people who pay taxes go broke. Companies are going to take their business places where taxes aren't so high, and when there are no more jobs, and no more taxes, what do you do ? Starve, or lean on another country to support you.
nate556 1 year ago
@nate556 Actually companies in the U.S. pay more taxes than in here. There are less poor people, income equality is better here than in U.S.
I think that the whole point of human civilization is to remove the need to survive on your own.
Saukko31 1 year ago
@nate556 Is that why you dropped out of school at 14? Look, no taxes means no free education. Smart move. Everyone carrying guns and shooting each other at their own free will? Yeah, welcome to Af-fuckin-ghanistan. No free medical? Well, as far as I know, America doesn't have that, but my father just had heart surgery which would have cost an unimaginable amount of money, but fortunately that evil tax thingy actually helped us. No taxes = bad. Taxes = good. There's NO disputing that, sorry.
Terrr05 1 year ago
@Terrr05 There is no such thing as free. Taxes pay for education that doesn't educate that well. As for everyone carrying guns. Guns should only be used in self defense. Are you against people defending themselves ? And you do know if MORE people had guns, and there werent gun-free zones, crime would be much lower.
I dropped out of school at 14 because public education sucks. I was always getting into fights, and I wasn't learning anything. It was the best move.
nate556 1 year ago
@Terrr05 As for medical, do you know why that surgery was so expensive to begin with ?
nate556 1 year ago
"CENTRAL BANKS ARE EARTH CANCER"
wolfgangfaust 1 year ago
The Federal Reserve steals everything. The system is rigged sense 1913 when the FED and the IRS were created to steal American wealth. The national debt is completely contrived, we have crony capitalism. If we had a free market everyone would have wealth,unless you are to lazy to work.
egderegor 1 year ago
"more money than most americans can afford to save" only because we spend our cash on big screen TV's and 20 inch rims for our escalades instead of putting it back.
anonazero 1 year ago
A lot of this also has to do with a general misunderstanding of government to begin with. Many people view government as an outside or foreign entity that wants to take control of people and take away their hard earned income, rather than as an entity made of the people for the purpose of serving the people. This type of ignorance is very common here, so there is a strong anti-government and therefore anti-tax sentiment.
bobomber 1 year ago
I'm gonna sub right now. This youtube video made more sense than the entire last 2 years of political debates.
wikuk 1 year ago 3
When the conservative elites talk about tax cuts they're talking about tax cuts for themselves, not for the majority of their voters. They are perfectly happy with handing out lousy $300-1200 rebate checks every 4 years or so because they know they will get that all back (and then some) at the gas pumps, insurance bills e.t.c. They know the minds of their sheep and manipulate them through their fear, hatred and pride to get their blind support and votes.
melowar78 1 year ago
Rather than rant and diss countries I've never lived in like everyone else which changes nothing, I have a question: So how do we fix it all?
RealityHurts923 1 year ago
Freedom in America is laughable when many European countries are treated MUCH better and more freely, despite having no written-down individual rights.
Anyway.
If Americans do not get anything of value for their taxes, perhaps certain freedoms should be taken advantage of, and the overall system in place in US government should be whitewashed, and re-thought. What do you want more? Do you want to go out and kill- err, sorry, DEFEND against other countries, or do you want healthcare?
finalfictionwriter 1 year ago
Americans pay federal taxes to pay the interest on all the money the US federal government borrowed from the federal reserve which, by the way, is in fact a PRIVATE bank that has achieved immunity from both the supreme court and even congress. yes, it is a privately owned commercial bank that cannot be touched by anyone.
the wars by the way are paid for with even more loans. no way it could be by just taxes.
maintenance or roads and police and whatever are all paid for by state taxes.
shishikyuu 1 year ago
Very nice video and very well said. Although, there is something to the idea that Americans value freedom over security (yes, even thinking Americans, not just rednecks). I personally would rather have less benefits and a higher cost of living if it means that I'm not at the mercy of a government that can turn totalitarian in a second. I think it's great if people feel different, though - more power to you. Europe can be a haven for "security-lovers" and America one for "freedom-lovers".
Midnight722 1 year ago
@Midnight722 Freedom? In America?? Hm, didn't notice.
KillerCracker69 1 year ago
War is just a big scam to syphon off tax payers money into the pockets of the elite.
Bombs are very expensive and after they have been dropped there is no proof of how many were dropped .ker ching
portsanity 1 year ago
@portsanity Definitely not a cause of war, but certainly an effect.
SeriouslyPissedOff 1 year ago
Proteanview, you are right on. I lived in America for 28 years, before I relocated to Europe. We ended up saving almost 15 grand a year just on free insurance, transportation, child care, paid sick days (Yes in Germany you still get paid if you call off sick) Vacation, paid holidays. Most Americans have been brainwashed to bash socialism because the rich will be forced to pay taxes as well. America's middle class will disappear as they pay most of the taxes.Then, they will beg for socialism.
MrUnorthobox 1 year ago
@MrUnorthobox "Beg for Socialism?" You are a week-kneed loser.
furmountain21 1 year ago
@furmountain21 You spelled weak wrong genius. Let me guess, when the middle class disappears and your eating out of tin cans you'll still be clinging to American Capitalism as your savior? The same system that put you in that place in the first place. You have no clue...
MrUnorthobox 1 year ago
@EMPIREofPUPPETS well said. lol
SilenceIsPeace 1 year ago
press 2 about once per second for the real story.
frigginjoe 1 year ago
OMG SOCIALIST! STOP SPEWING PROPAGANDA AND HATE IN THE USA!
zazu27604 1 year ago
Europeans are such fags, why do we have to explain this shit to them.
SeriouslyPissedOff 1 year ago
@SeriouslyPissedOff We don't...
furmountain21 1 year ago
@furmountain21 The most ignorant of Europeans (The ones that are always most heard for some reason) think Americans are retarded for complaining about taxes. That's as far as their sight goes in the issue. When the truth of the matter is that United States citizens complain about taxes because their taxes go to retarded stupid shit, like war. The ignorant of the Europeans don't see that, and just see us as being lazy and not wanting to pay for a better community. Which couldn't be more wrong.
SeriouslyPissedOff 1 year ago
@SeriouslyPissedOff But then why do the protests not address those issues? I mean I'm all in favor of protests, and I think we don't protest the stupid shit our governments in Europe do with our taxes nearly enough, but when you hear Americans protest I don't hear reasoned arguments like the one you present. I hear stupid arguments like "why do we punish success?" and "if we try taxing our rich they'll run away." And not just from idiots on the street, but leaders of the GOP and Teaparties.
megamarsvin 1 year ago
@megamarsvin That's because I left out one HUGE detail about the majority of the American people: They're idiots.
I wish I had a grand explanation for you, but that's the only thing that properly answers your concerns. The American people are downright stupid. (At the very least, the ones in power are, which are very appealing to follow which then makes everyone else seem stupid.)
SeriouslyPissedOff 1 year ago