Steve, with all due respect because you do have good posts, not everyone that disagrees with your opinion is from the thrid world friend. I am white and grew up in the country. I don't mind paying taxes if I see the value where it is going. Now that we have a police state run by a bumbling idiot and the dollar is going to down in flames I may just want to move. With the USD I am sitting on, a devaluationo of say 30% more could really hurt my bottom line. Hell the Iraq war could bankrupt our country. When all is said and done it will be 3-4 trillion spent, I belive. We aren't leaving there anytime soon. Remember WW II, don't we still have troops in all of the countries we invaded? I don't drink from cooler filled with Koolaid, I can see and think for myself. I believe America, unless real changes are made in the next 3-5 years, has seen its best days already. That said, I hope I am wrong as America has alot of good things about it. Sorry to get off topic, but Steve's post warranted a meaningful response. Dan
Steve, You probably donât know the following, but the intelligence of a human being is related to its ability to think in âgrey scalesâ. This means that those who think in black and white only have the basics of intelligence, nothing more. There is a group of Americans that always and everywhere preach that the Americans are the best and the biggest in everything. This kind of image building is very harmful for the picture Europeans get from Americans. Thanks to these black and white thinkers the Americans sound as stupid (because of the statement that they are the best and the biggest) and arrogant. Luckily for the US in Europe the majority thinks in grey scales and concludes that Americans have (as every human being) good qualities and bad qualities. The perfect nation or human being doesn't exist. To proof the idiocy of your posting: The last 10 years there has been no western country that lost so many people by an attack from abroad as the US. Remember WTC. So reality showed that the protection is not as good as thought. Vietnam, Afghanistan and now Iraq show how easy it is to take over a country and fill it with Mc Donalds, Walmarts and so on. It will still take a while before the US have kicked the asses of the enemies and they will be able to take over these countries. In Vietnam the american asses were kicked. I also think that America, as the promised land, is history. This evolution has been accelerated by what dandxg called âa bumbling idiotâ who is running the police state. 20 years ago many Europeans wanted to emigrate to the US; today they call you an idiot if you would emigrate to the US. I'm not for or against any country; but i get irritated if people use aggressive language, think that they are superior and make contempting remarks. BTW: i'm not an illiterate cannibal, and i live in a real house of bricks although i live in Europe. Do you also speak four languages, as i do?
Hey Spike, if you don't mind, where in Europe do you live? I ask because I have friends in Germany and family in the Czech Republic. I am considering moving to Europe, Canada, or maybe even Panama or somewhere in the carribean. Honestly it would be hard to leave the land where I grew up and leave alot of my family. I agree with you, alot of Europeans and Canadians, ask me why do you Americans tolerate the BS in your country? Record deficit, bumbling idiot, borders being over run for corporate profits? I tell them most Americans are apathetic, plain and simple. They would rather watch American Idol than study and think for themselves.
Well said Spike, I also think Steve's remarks were completely idiotic and showed the prevalent ignorance of people who are not well traveled or have serious issues about themselves and take it out on others. I have lived on both sides of the pond, and Europe's rich cultures and traditions could never be duplicated anywhere. Every country is so different and special, it's hard to pick which one is better. I hate to hear other Americans put any other country or culture down.
What I am putting down is a culture of tax dodging. What you seem to find acceptable is finding ways to avoid paying your fair share of taxes. Your "culture" simply stated, is whatever is convenient for me (the individual) is okay, and the hell with society. Thinking in grey scales is simply another way of saying, let me do whatever I want, without having responsibility to my fellow man. Yes you are an admirable bunch of folks. What a display of character here. "How can we get around the law, and screw everyone else, and anyone who thinks differently is an idiot". Lets make it very simple. You folks have no character. Those of you who want to avoid paying your share of taxes don't deserve citizenship. You SHOULD be floating on the ocean at the mercy of whoever you meet. I think that is quite appropriate. Good luck (you tax dodging bastards) Steve Edit: Now where did I put the keys to my Stealth bomber.
That statement isn't exactly supported by immigration figures. And they aren't just coming from Mexico. They are pouring in from all points of the Globe. I currently have two Euro friends who are trying to get visas because their own countries take too much in taxes, and they believe they could earn far more here. Neither are traders. (these guys are both wealthy). Jay
By the way, for those thinking of taking more shots at me. All citizens born in the USA are awarded Stealth bombers on their 21st birthday. We receive flight training and sufficient munitions to bomb the hell out of anyone around the world. Once a month each community votes on who to bomb (the USA is after all, a true democracy). Be advised that I will be thinking of you tax dodging bastards at our next "target meeting". Also you should know that Easter Sunday is a "free day". Citizens can take off and target at their discretion. Normally I just practice on herds of cows and retirement homes, but if provoked, I may decide to come over their and carpet bomb the hell out of you folks. Happy Easter Everyone. Steve
great post. I agree 100% with your comments. It is sickening living in this Country (USA) in it's present mind-boggling ignorant-state of idiocy with pompous religious bullsh-t xenophobics! What we see see displayed every day in our papers and experience in daily lives is certainly no longer a tribute and in fact is a discredit to what America allegedly stands (stood) for and against! The lack of civility is palpable. The unadulterated greed and single-minded money orientation is a farce! All the self-righteous pious B.S. we heard after 9/11 about what is really important to a nation and what really matters bah blah blah turned out to be a total farce. A large % of the US citizens (i.e. sheep) in my mind are amongst the most ignorant and lazy in the world. This might sound harsh to some, but to those with awareness and a true intellect and brain, they know of what I speak without going into detail. I would gladly move to Canada or Europe, and have often considered it im recent times. Ice I have lived in the USA all of my live, and was born here.
I agree with you - to a point. What is the definition of 'fair share'? 50% of everything you make in perpetuity? Yes, if you're contributing a measly 10k a year. No, if you're handing over millions a year. Once an individual has paid multiple times more tax than the average 'high income' person ever will, its time to leave. The Federal Government only *needs* a small fraction of actual revenue to effectively defend and administrate this country (10-15%) Anything more is just economic rape by the plutocrats to keep the masses, poor, dumb and powerless. Bear in mind, the founders fought vigorously against income tax and the type of debt money system we now have. The reason is simple: a fiat money system empowers Governments to spend limitlessly, tax limitlessly, roll back instrumental freedoms (financial privacy) and consolidate VAST amounts of national wealth in private hands (Federal Reserve). On so many levels, this is utterly treasonous to the most basic principles on which this country was founded: privacy, limited GOvernance and a financially empowered/independent citizenry. What we have now is just the opposite: a MASSIVE Federal Government, eviscerated liberties and a 'have-not' citizenry hopelessly addicted to socialist entitlement programs (aka Government welfare). 90% of the time, our tax dollars are used AGAINST US -- to subsidize a failing entitlement system, scare us into phoney wars that cost us our liberties and $$, and of course, paying for the phoney wars themselves which is pure bank for the Corporate plutocrats who actually own our elected officials. Remember the 'Military-Industrial complex' Eisenhower gave that stark warning about? War for profit? Apparently, its just a myth. Regards.
'bout usa..sure a cheap, very cheap country with da lowest prices for fule'n'goods, but man, come in italy'n'uk...we been taxed to death for decades and all to support a government sponsorin' a hurray of benefits for those who choose not to workn'n'wastin' millions of euros in useless public projects never taken to completion...ain't fair, innit[?] if cap gains taxes stay at 12.5% in italy and don't double as commiecunt prodi promises i would gladly pay 'em...i already have to split 50/50 me profits on estate rentin' with da state, i think it is more than enough.