It depends what you are there for. For a regular visit, my doctor charged me $20 to $30. The high cost is due to too many lawsuits here in the country. We sue for everything, I mean every thing. You get fat for eating McD, sue McD. You bought XYZ stock for $100, now it worth $1, sue your broker. Both you and your wife are over 6 ft tall, and your child is only 5.5 ft, sue your pediatrician.
spike500, Someone sent this via E-Mail: "Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table At which he's fed. Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes Are the rule. Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat. Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt. Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he Tries to think. Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries, then Tax his tears. Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways To tax his ass. Tax all he has Then let him know That you won't be done Till he has no dough. When he screams and hollers, Then tax him some more, Tax him till He's good and sore. Then tax his coffin , Tax his grave, Tax the sod in Which he's laid. Put these words upon his tomb, " Taxes drove me to my doom..." When he's gone, Do not relax, Its time to apply The inheritance tax. Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax CDL license Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Dog License Tax Excise Taxes Federal Income Tax Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel Permit Tax Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon) Gross Receipts Tax Hunting License Tax Inheritance Tax Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax) Liquor Tax Luxury Taxes Marriage License Tax Medicare Tax Personal Property Tax Property Tax Real Estate Tax Service Charge Tax Social Security Tax Road Usage Tax Sales Tax Recreational Vehicle Tax School Tax State Income Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) Telephone Federal Excise Tax Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax Telephone State and Local Tax Telephone Usage Charge Tax Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax Vehicle Sales Tax Watercraft Registration Tax Well Permit Tax Workers Compensation Tax STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What the hell happened?"
One day, the Gummint figured out they could help themselves to the public purse through legislation. Even that wasn't enough, so they heaped the "defict spending inflation and currency debasement" tax upon us all. When Amerika is recognized as officially "in the shitter", it won't be OPEC nor Osama what done it to us... it will be the US Gummint!
BIG GOVERNMENT. Why don't you try to determine (and it won't be easy) what's the MONTHLY payroll for all federal offices. First you'll be amazed, then you'll be informed as to why we need those taxes.
The US has high taxes being used to pay off the military industrial complex. People working in the military industrial complex and government employees all have health insurance. So no problems.
How much of the US GDP does military spending make up as a percentage? Perhaps answering that questions will help you establish a new foundation to evaluate the budget issues our country contends with. PS: Turn off the TV all together! It's not just worthless, the real costs of watching the garbage are staggeringly high. ie: Subscription + Lost Productivity + Misleading Information that leads to more lost productivity.
I'm in the medical field and this is exactlly whats going on. Least when you go to a larger clinic or hospital. Alot of doctors are leaving Illinois because they cant afford the malpractice insurance ie specialized doctors ie brain surgeons etc ...
We became an imperialist nation hell bent "on spreading democracy". It cost a lot of $$$ to have so many troops in Korea, Japan, Germany, and the Middle East/SouthEast Asia. Sorry, but you asked. Seriously does Canada or Europe get involved in some many conflicts? And I am not talking about WW I and WW II. It costs big $$$ to topple government and put in a puppet regime, look no further than Iraq.
Agreed that was a good interview on 60 minutes with GAO comptroller about our coming debt crisis, on entitlements no less.