Are Americans "over-taxed?" Really?

[Mr. Kotter]

Often lost amid all the acrimony and rancor of budget deficits and program and spending cuts, is one simple truth: Americans rank near the bottom of nearly any legitimate measure of "total tax burden" when comparing us against other industrialized nations in the world.

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/20...veloped-world/

http://www.forbes.com/global/2006/0522/032a.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_around_the_world

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:In...By_Country.svg

FTR, I understand there is plenty government programs and spending that should be reformed--and, yes, cut.

However, consensus on what can and should be cut is elusive, at best. It seems to me that our inability to effectively prioritize spending, and to root out real waste and fraud is the real culprit in our current financial mess.

Regardless, how anyone can seriously argue that as a nation we are "over-taxed"...is simply ludicrous. That so many people, seemingly, have accepted this lie as conventional wisdom, is the biggest symptom of the decline of this country. For me, that's a pretty depressing realization.

I mean, when our biggest goal has become: to join Korea, Turkey, and Mexico as the "least taxed" among industrialized nations....that's reason to be depressed, IMHO.

[chiefsnorth]

It sure sucks for the minority who actually contribute more than they suck out of the system to continually be hit up for more and more. But there is no special interest for people who bargain for themselves and work in the private sector actually creating and doing things.

[Cave Johnson]

"Facts" and "accuracy" have no place in political discourse, Kotter.

[KC native]

Nb4 stupid bitch and teej

[KC native]

I have been making this argument for awhile. Supply side economics is a hoax.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by chiefsnorth

It sure sucks for the minority who actually contribute more than they suck out of the system to continually be hit up for more and more. But there is no special interest for people who bargain for themselves and work in the private sector actually creating and doing things.

That's something you hear often too...but IMO it's an over-simplistic perspective of our country. In what other country in the world, would a privileged elite who "create and do things" be given the opportunities and freedom to achieve what they do in this country?

Or are those opportunities and freedoms that our society affords to those folks....a God-given "right," that incurs no real obligation to support and payback the society that enabled some to acrue such vast wealth?

[ClevelandBronco]

We don't pay as much in taxes as more socialist countries? Wow. No shit.

[talastan]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

We don't pay as much in taxes as more socialist countries? Wow. No shit.

QFT!!

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by KC native

I have been making this argument for awhile. Supply side economics is a hoax.

I used to believe that there was a time and place for "trickle-down" economics--in certain circumstances. However, when the "trickle" doesn't come, again and again...it begins to appear as if it is really nothing more than an elaborate rationalization by those who are dogmatic Social Darwinists.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

We don't pay as much in taxes as more socialist countries? Wow. No shit.

That's one way of looking at it. IMHO, more accurately: we pay less than nearly every other miixed economy democratic industrialized nation on the planet.

Seems to me, we get pretty good bang for our buck most of the time.

[go bowe]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

That's one way of looking at it.

More accurately, we pay less than nearly every other miixed economic democratic industrialized nation on the planet.

Seems to me, we get pretty good bang for our buck most of the time.

bang a buck? nttawwt

[The Mad Crapper]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

We don't pay as much in taxes as more socialist countries? Wow. No shit.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

I used to believe that there was a time and place for "trickle-down" economics--in certain circumstances. However, when the "trickle" doesn't come, again and again...it begins to appear as if it is really nothing more than an elaborate rationalization by those who are dogmatic Social Darwinists.

Yes, which is why I always challenge it's supporters t show proof and remind them that if they do show proof, they will bethe first.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by go bowe

bang a buck? nttawwt

What Bambi does in the privacy of her own forest, well....

[blaise]

I don't see why another country's taxes mean we are or we aren't overtaxed. I'm sure there's other countries that smoke more cigarettes, too, but that doesn't mean we should smoke more.