crk5
Feb 22 at 8:18pmWeb
Show threadvery normal personFeb 23
@crk5 there was an economist in like 1890 that showed how high taxes lowered inflation and increased standard of living like wild
Show threadBarry CFeb 23
@crk5 #WiseWords 👍👍
Show threadC.S.StrowbridgeFeb 23

@crk5

I'm Canadian and I've had numerous Americans tell me I should be mad about how much taxes I pay.

I had to explain to them that the median Canadian makes more money than the median American and still pays less in taxes than the median American.

Show thread70% Coffee by VolumeFeb 23

@crk5 most Americans who pity other countries’ tax rates do so because they can’t fathom the concept of a government that isn’t a net negative in their lives.

Like if the US government charged Norway’s rates, they’d just be using all that extra money to murder children in <insert oil rich country or country that had the audacity to flirt with socialism without being predominately white here>. I’d rather keep my paycheck if that’s where it’s going, thanks

Show threadKerr Avonsen (she/her)Feb 23

@VestigialLung @crk5 I can't remember the precise numbers, but I've heard it said that the USA pays more in military spending than the next-highest three countries *combined*.

So, yeah, you're probably right.

Show thread70% Coffee by VolumeFeb 23
@kerravonsen @crk5 that sounds about right anyway. I remember a veteran on YouTube back in the early days of the war in Ukraine when people still took Russia’s threats against NATO seriously responding to a threat that the might take a swing at the US if we provided some weapon system or another with “terrible idea; try that, and the government will show you why our citizens don’t have healthcare.”
Show threadGregFeb 23

@crk5
For individials there's a continuum, and where they are on it is an accident of birth (or migration). The current US at one end; home of, and extremist venerator of the greasy pole and at the other, authoritarian, corrupt, Soviet style redistributive Communism.

Both ends are malign, over simplistic ideologies that have much more to *say* than *demonstrate* about the thriving of humanity & the planet. Despite claims, beneficiaries are the very few at the top and everyone & everything else pays.

It's only away from those edges, where society actually tries to nurture all, through taxes & society, that humanity and sustainability can hope to thrive. One can argue about the balance but the intent & outcome are clearer.

Show threadDoug 🌈🇨🇦 Feb 23
@crk5
Yes but Socialism = bad, no matter it's benefits. Americans have been brainwashed to link socialism with loss of freedom, which is totally untrue.
Show threadAndrewFeb 23
@crk5 American who lives in Sweden here. 33% rate here, compared to a varying but predictable 28 - 33% tax in USA, all told. “Nordic countries pay super high taxes” 1) only applies to rich people and 2) is likely just some leftover ancient Boomer “wisdom” about other countries