US drops from the top 10 free economies list

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
That's what a free market ought to be. As I said before, even neoclassicists hold that it is necessary to have government regulations because of monopolies and cartels.

These same people also say that an absolute free market is not ideal, because some regulation is needed.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Drogue
This study *does* include tax, look at "Financial Burden". That is about the tax rate and the amount of GDP the government controls. That's why HK is top, having a 2 for that, whereas the UK and other EU countries get nearer 4s.

Taxes are generally going to be equal to spending and will be in the long run.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
These same people also say that an absolute free market is not ideal, because some regulation is needed.

Even if you consider the necessary regulation that these people support, an economy run like that would be run into the ground. The study is so ridiculous because comparing real economies to that ideal economy is no measure of how strong an economy is. Some of the economies on their list are strong, but they aren't anything like the ideal economy of the people who did the study.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
That's what a free market ought to be. As I said before, even neoclassicists hold that it is necessary to have government regulations because of monopolies and cartels.

Regulating monopolies does not make individuals free to compete. All it does is break up one big company and turn it into little ones.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Berzerker
SS is running a surplus because the polticians are "skimming" ~%15 from a large chunk of wage/income in this country. So dont complain about regressive taxes and poor people then extol the virtues of a Ponzi scheme that would be illegal in the private sector.

Actually the tax payers are 'skimming' Berzerker. Jeez.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Kidicious
Even if you consider the necessary regulation that these people support, an economy run like that would be run into the ground.

Which is of course why America and the West lost the Cold War due to malfunctioning economies

[BlackCat]

I think that the heritage's research sucks a little. I would wish they were right about the top 26,5 tax rate for Denmark, but the cruel reality according to my tax prediction for 2005 is :

SS tax 8 % of gross income.
local tax 32,3 % of net inc
bottom state tax 5,5 % of net
medium state tax 6 % of net inc above 259.500
top state tax 15 % of net inc above 311.500

which gives 66,8 % tax on income above 311.500

that migth move Denmark a couple of places down the list.

[GePap]

Originally posted by Berzerker
SS is running a surplus because the polticians are "skimming" ~%15 from a large chunk of wage/income in this country. So dont complain about regressive taxes and poor people then extol the virtues of a Ponzi scheme that would be illegal in the private sector.

First of all, in a Ponzi scheme the people who get in early make a lot, and with time people who get in latrer get less and less and the system is not sustainable- in SS, people get the pension and will continue to get it indefinitely, even if in 30-40 years money for this will have to be taken out of the General fund, that or raise payroll taxes.

Its not a POnzi scheme, and it will keep on chugging.

[GePap]

Originally posted by Giancarlo
No you aren't. YOu are just spamming.

Anyone stupid enough to say the US is a creditor nation is not worth enough spittle to "argue" with them. laughing at you out of pity is really the only correct action.

I have officially now wasted far too much time acknowledging your existance. I am off.

[Sava]

We must kick out immigrants who don't deserve to be here

like gay latino rich kids who do nothing but spam poly?

[Giancarlo]

Originally posted by Azazel
possible. geez, lighten up.

Anyhow, what's with the immigrant-hating, Giancarlo? Immigrants, such as your parents, too, I suppose, have built that country.

I have no problem with productive immigrants. Like a intimidating Austrian who landed himself as governor in California.

I have no problems with people who work for a living. But those who are illegally... get out... and stop sucking up welfare. This isn't a communist hellhole.

[Giancarlo]

Originally posted by GePap


Anyone stupid enough to say the US is a creditor nation is not worth enough spittle to "argue" with them. laughing at you out of pity is really the only correct action.

I have officially now wasted far too much time acknowledging your existance. I am off.

Why doesn't the US just call in its debt? No more europe. And the US is a creditor nation. Anybody who disputes me is wrong. That simple. I'm laughing at you. Why don't we call in our debt for your little nation of Panama? Goodbye. Your country's economy just collapsed.

[Berzerker]

Actually the tax payers are 'skimming' Berzerker. Jeez.

I'm a taxpayer and I'm stuck paying the SS tax. Black men are the most likely to work for decades paying into the system only to die before collecting a dime. If it was really the taxpayers then make SS voluntary. And if your point is that many taxpayers and voters want SS, no kidding. But its still the politicians who make the laws...

First of all, in a Ponzi scheme the people who get in early make a lot, and with time people who get in latrer get less and less and the system is not sustainable

Thats how SS works. People who got in early get more "return" on their "contribution", and the reason Ponzi schemes are unsustainable is because people eventually wise up and stop joining while SS compliance is backed by people with guns.

in SS, people get the pension and will continue to get it indefinitely, even if in 30-40 years money for this will have to be taken out of the General fund, that or raise payroll taxes.

All that would be true for Ponzi schemes if the law compelled us to but into them.

Its not a POnzi scheme, and it will keep on chugging.

It is a Ponzi scheme, its "success" depends on forcing us to join.

[Berzerker]

Anybody who disputes me is wrong.

That convinced me.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Berzerker
I'm a taxpayer and I'm stuck paying the SS tax. Black men are the most likely to work for decades paying into the system only to die before collecting a dime. If it was really the taxpayers then make SS voluntary. And if your point is that many taxpayers and voters want SS, no kidding. But its still the politicians who make the laws...

The voters make the laws. They pay the taxes and they recieve the benefits. Focusing on the politicians just shows how nutty you are.