I was told growing up that I won’t like socialism once I have to start paying taxes. I pay taxes, but would much rather pay way more taxes to have socialism. Including paying for social programs I wouldn’t use like welfare, free tuition etc.
Once I qualified for work pharmacare that was great! But I remember how much it sucked not having any health insurance. Yeah I bootstrapped it, but I’d hope we would grow up as a species and not have to have so much bootstrapping, since there are better ways at this point.
While not completely socialists, countries like Sweeden pay very high taxes and seem to be happy about it as they dont have to worry and plan for the next catastrophe that may or may not arise.
I have heard discusions where people talk how their pay is less then those of us in the US, but they can spend more. That sounds good to me.
Here in Denmark the highest possible tax is 52%, but not many people have to pay that much. Most people pay around 15%. Also the sales tax is usually 25%. But some things like medical practices don’t have any. And if you have to pay more than $150.56 for medicin, the government will pay 50% in subsidy. More if you have buy more. see the table here. I don’t think I know anybody who is against it. It’s really easy to manage your money, when not much has to be paid. It’s mostly rent, food, clothing, transportation and entertainment.
I could handle that! I think the biggest obstacle for us (US), is that our government isn’t very trustworthy.
I live in Sweden, we socialists are not happy about it. Bear in mind that even gross salaries are far lower than the US too.
You have to understand that income is taxed very heavily (56% marginal over about $60k, so 40% average) and sales tax is 25% meanwhile there are almost no taxes on inheritance, property ownership, capital gains or business ownership in comparison.
It really sucks for working people and social mobility. Tax wealth not work.
Wow! I would think if anything, property would be taxed. Thanks for sharing your perspective, these things always interest me.