Budget Deficit Shrinking Unexpectedly Quickly

[Arnfinn Madsen]

You really got me starting [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]:

Budget revenues pr 2004 pr capita:

US: $6,646
Germany: $10,552

I guess the Germans are idiots when they claim that their higher tax rates makes more free state services possible [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[andyfox]

The first economic statement by Adios with which I actualling agree.

[img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Matty]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, there are people who "tend to view economics as a purely zero-sum game." Some of them frequent this board. Where have you been?

[/ QUOTE ]Name some.

[Felix_Nietsche]

Also there is the question of morality/ethics of the government taking money by force (taxes) from it's citizens. Most agree taxes are necessary, but should a govt's role be to maximize it's tax coffers or foster a freer society that allows people to keep more of THEIR income? I would prefer to err on the latter because big govt lead to less freedom.

[Felix_Nietsche]

Budget revenues pr 2004 pr capita:
US: $6,646
Germany: $10,552
****************************************
Ouch! I feel sorry for the Germans. I'm glad I live in the USA rather in Germany. Their govt makes thieves look honest. These numbers show why Germany's unemployment is 10% rather than 5% in the USA.

[Arnfinn Madsen]

[ QUOTE ]
Budget revenues pr 2004 pr capita:
US: $6,646
Germany: $10,552
****************************************
Ouch! I feel sorry for the Germans. I'm glad I live in the USA rather in Germany. Their govt makes thieves look honest. These numbers show why Germany's unemployment is 10% rather than 5% in the USA.

[/ QUOTE ]

And in this you might be right, just wanted to point out that higher tax leads to higher revenue.

[Arnfinn Madsen]

Budget revenues pr 2004 pr capita:
US: $6,646
Germany: $10,552
****************************************
Ouch! I feel sorry for the Germans. I'm glad I live in the USA rather in Germany. Their govt makes thieves look honest. These numbers show why Germany's unemployment is 10% rather than 5% in the USA.

[/ QUOTE ]

Makes my government ($15,676 pr capita) top-notch criminals? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[ptmusic]

[ QUOTE ]
Also there is the question of morality/ethics of the government taking money by force (taxes) from it's citizens. Most agree taxes are necessary, but should a govt's role be to maximize it's tax coffers or foster a freer society that allows people to keep more of THEIR income? I would prefer to err on the latter because big govt lead to less freedom.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are concerned about a loss of freedom, then surely you are against the Patriot Act? Or are you concerned about a loss of freedom only when it fits with the Bush package?

-ptmusic

[Felix_Nietsche]

just wanted to point out that higher tax leads to higher revenue.
**********************************************
This does not prove anything. A true test of studying tax rates vs. tax receipts would for Germany to lower their taxes, say 10%, and then we look at THEIR tax receipts for the next 5 years...then we could objectivly evaluate the effect of tax rates and tax receipts. Germany's GDP gowth has been terrible. Schoeder is in huge political trouble for the German economy.

[[censored]]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Also there is the question of morality/ethics of the government taking money by force (taxes) from it's citizens. Most agree taxes are necessary, but should a govt's role be to maximize it's tax coffers or foster a freer society that allows people to keep more of THEIR income? I would prefer to err on the latter because big govt lead to less freedom.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are concerned about a loss of freedom, then surely you are against the Patriot Act? Or are you concerned about a loss of freedom only when it fits with the Bush package?

-ptmusic

[/ QUOTE ]

Couldn't one turn around ask you if you are concerned about the loss of freedom from the Patriot act than surely you are for the Bush tax cuts. Or are you concerned about a loss of freedom only when it fits with the Democratic talking points?

Also to actually be fair, the Patriot Act while troubling has not actually prevented me from doing something that I was doing before its enactment. and this is true for almost everyone. On the other hand, every dollar of tax that is taken from me is one less dollar that I would have made sometype of choice with.

so if it is only an arguement about which infringes freedom more. taxes win easily.