Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Deficit spending invariably leads to higher interest rates; high interest rates are not only a drag on the economy, but are many ways the same as a tax increase.
As for taxes, I quite frankly have no desire to pay to the private sector in terms of fees what I am now paying to the government in terms of taxes for the same service and I totally disagree with the Harper maximum that there is more freedom through less government. Americans earn more than their European counterparts. However, Americans work much longer weeks, have much less vacation time, retire later, are much more likely to be a victim of violent crime, are more likely to be hurt on the job, do not live as long, are shorter in stature (the average German, Swede and Dutchmen tower over the average American) are more likely to be overweight, and social mobility is much less than what it is in Europe. What is more, much of that extra income is eaten away by schooling costs for the kids and of course for health care. Europeans and indeed Canadians live less stressful lives and have more FREE TIME. This is in part because they have embraced the welfare state, supported by higher taxes in ways the US has not.
As for taxes, I quite frankly have no desire to pay to the private sector in terms of fees what I am now paying to the government in terms of taxes for the same service and I totally disagree with the Harper maximum that there is more freedom through less government. Americans earn more than their European counterparts. However, Americans work much longer weeks, have much less vacation time, retire later, are much more likely to be a victim of violent crime, are more likely to be hurt on the job, do not live as long, are shorter in stature (the average German, Swede and Dutchmen tower over the average American) are more likely to be overweight, and social mobility is much less than what it is in Europe. What is more, much of that extra income is eaten away by schooling costs for the kids and of course for health care. Europeans and indeed Canadians live less stressful lives and have more FREE TIME. This is in part because they have embraced the welfare state, supported by higher taxes in ways the US has not.
Comments:
Post a Comment
