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+--- Thread: The happiest taxes on earth - Commentary: More people are satisfied in heavily tariffed nations (/thread-1476.html)
The happiest taxes on earth - Commentary: More people are satisfied in heavily tariffed nations - Myra Bronstein - 16-05-2009
After the JFK assassination facts, this is probably the first subject that the US government doesn't want its subjects to know:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-happiest-places-on-earth-are-heavily-taxed?siteid=rss
By Thomas Kostigen, MarketWatch
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (MarketWatch) -- Northern Europeans are the happiest people on the planet, according to a new survey.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says people in Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands are the most content with their lives. The three ranked first, second and third, respectively, in the OECD's rankings of "life satisfaction," or happiness.
There are myriad reasons, of course, for happiness: health, welfare, prosperity, leisure time, strong family, social connections and so on. But there is another common denominator among this group of happy people: taxes.
Northern Europeans pay some of the highest taxes in the world. Danes pay about two-thirds of their income in taxes. Why be so happy about that? It all comes down to what you get in return.
The Encyclopedia of the Nations notes that Denmark was one of the first countries in the world to establish efficient social services with the introduction of relief for the sick, unemployed and aged.
It says social welfare programs include health insurance, health and hospital services, insurance for occupational injuries, unemployment insurance and employment exchange services. There's also old age and disability pensions, rehabilitation and nursing homes, family welfare subsidies, general public welfare and payments for military accidents. Moreover, maternity benefits are payable up to 52 weeks.
Simply, you pay for what you get. Taxes in the U.S. have taken on a pejorative association because, well, we are never really quite sure of what we get in return for paying them, other than the world's biggest military.
Healthcare and other such social services aren't built into our system. That means we have to worry more about paying for things ourselves. Worrying doesn't equate to happiness.
The U.S. ranked 11th on the OECD list. In addition to the top three, we were beat out by Sweden, Belgium, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway. To be sure, we were ahead of France, Great Britain, Japan and China, among many others. But we can do better.
With the highest gross domestic product in the world, we are the richest country. On a per capita basis, though, we don't even make the top 10. The U.S. ranks 15th in this category, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Denmark -- maybe because they are happy -- ranked fifth. Other, more "satisfied" countries also earn more on an individual income basis. Oh yes, and the average workweek in Scandinavian countries is less than the U.S.'s
We need to take better care of ourselves.
It may not just be taxes, of course, that lead to happiness. There are other factors to consider. But better social services and less worry about having to pay for things such as medical bills, retirement and education do help with the happiness factor.
Yet, we are so dead set against paying more taxes that it's even spawning nationwide protests. Tea party, anyone?
Maybe it's time that we looked at taxes differently. We have to pay them anyway. So they might as well make us happy. If Northern Europe is any benchmark, the more we'd pay the happier we just may be.
Thomas M. Kostigen is the author of "You Are Here: Exposing the Vital Ink Between What We Do and What That Does to Our Planet" www.readyouarehere.com
The happiest taxes on earth - Commentary: More people are satisfied in heavily tariffed nations - Peter Lemkin - 17-05-2009
Myra Bronstein Wrote:After the JFK assassination facts, this is probably the first subject that the US government doesn't want its subjects to know:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-happiest-places-on-earth-are-heavily-taxed?siteid=rss
By Thomas Kostigen, MarketWatch
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (MarketWatch) -- Northern Europeans are the happiest people on the planet, according to a new survey.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says people in Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands are the most content with their lives. The three ranked first, second and third, respectively, in the OECD's rankings of "life satisfaction," or happiness.
There are myriad reasons, of course, for happiness: health, welfare, prosperity, leisure time, strong family, social connections and so on. But there is another common denominator among this group of happy people: taxes.
Northern Europeans pay some of the highest taxes in the world. Danes pay about two-thirds of their income in taxes. Why be so happy about that? It all comes down to what you get in return.
The Encyclopedia of the Nations notes that Denmark was one of the first countries in the world to establish efficient social services with the introduction of relief for the sick, unemployed and aged.
It says social welfare programs include health insurance, health and hospital services, insurance for occupational injuries, unemployment insurance and employment exchange services. There's also old age and disability pensions, rehabilitation and nursing homes, family welfare subsidies, general public welfare and payments for military accidents. Moreover, maternity benefits are payable up to 52 weeks.
Simply, you pay for what you get. Taxes in the U.S. have taken on a pejorative association because, well, we are never really quite sure of what we get in return for paying them, other than the world's biggest military.
Healthcare and other such social services aren't built into our system. That means we have to worry more about paying for things ourselves. Worrying doesn't equate to happiness.
The U.S. ranked 11th on the OECD list. In addition to the top three, we were beat out by Sweden, Belgium, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway. To be sure, we were ahead of France, Great Britain, Japan and China, among many others. But we can do better.
With the highest gross domestic product in the world, we are the richest country. On a per capita basis, though, we don't even make the top 10. The U.S. ranks 15th in this category, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Denmark -- maybe because they are happy -- ranked fifth. Other, more "satisfied" countries also earn more on an individual income basis. Oh yes, and the average workweek in Scandinavian countries is less than the U.S.'s
We need to take better care of ourselves.
It may not just be taxes, of course, that lead to happiness. There are other factors to consider. But better social services and less worry about having to pay for things such as medical bills, retirement and education do help with the happiness factor.
Yet, we are so dead set against paying more taxes that it's even spawning nationwide protests. Tea party, anyone?
Maybe it's time that we looked at taxes differently. We have to pay them anyway. So they might as well make us happy. If Northern Europe is any benchmark, the more we'd pay the happier we just may be.
Thomas M. Kostigen is the author of "You Are Here: Exposing the Vital Ink Between What We Do and What That Does to Our Planet" www.readyouarehere.com
Having lived in Skandinavia and having many friends there, I can attest that while they all grumble about the high tax rates, they are quite satisfied with their very high standard of living and secure lives. They get something - lots of things - from their taxes, unlike Americans - who's taxes go mostly to war and the rich - with little to show for it coming back to those who need it most, when they need it. They also outlawed poverty and the ultra-rich, but how you do in between is based on education and initiative, etc. The average standard of living is much higher than the average in the USA and they are much more happy with their lives and infinitely more secure. In Norway, for example, should one be or become a parapelegic, the state will spare NO expense to get you the most modern state-of-the-art wheelchair, computer-assisted home, car, whatever is needed. No one goes without housing, food, healthcare, and the tax money is mostly spent on the societies infrastructure and things like libraries, museums, parks, universities, concert halls, etc. - not wars and the bloated elites. They are not perfect societies, but a model - and one not allowed for Americans to know about. Most have several months paid maternity and paternity leave; SEVERAL MONTHS of paid vacation each year, and more.
The happiest taxes on earth - Commentary: More people are satisfied in heavily tariffed nations - Magda Hassan - 17-05-2009
Another thing I like that is implemented in Finland and other places is if there is a government fine, say a parking fine, it is proprtional to your income, not a flat rate. If you are the CEO of Nokia, for example, you pay many times more for the same fine that a dishwasher on minimum pay in the Nokia cafetaria would pay for the same fine.
The happiest taxes on earth - Commentary: More people are satisfied in heavily tariffed nations - Myra Bronstein - 17-05-2009
Magda Hassan Wrote:Another thing I like that is implemented in Finland and other places is if there is a government fine, say a parking fine, it is proprtional to your income, not a flat rate. If you are the CEO of Nokia, for example, you pay many times more for the same fine that a dishwasher on minimum pay in the Nokia cafetaria would pay for the same fine.
I never heard of that. I never even stopped to think about how regressive fines are. I guess I'm the quintessential good American; I never stopped to think...
The happiest taxes on earth - Commentary: More people are satisfied in heavily tariffed nations - Magda Hassan - 17-05-2009
Myra Bronstein Wrote:I never heard of that. I never even stopped to think about how regressive fines are. I guess I'm the quintessential good American; I never stopped to think...\
Good girl. :girl:That's the way ah ha ah ha they like it.
leep:Move along now.
The happiest taxes on earth - Commentary: More people are satisfied in heavily tariffed nations - Myra Bronstein - 17-05-2009
Magda Hassan Wrote:Myra Bronstein Wrote:I never heard of that. I never even stopped to think about how regressive fines are. I guess I'm the quintessential good American; I never stopped to think...\
Good girl. :girl:That's the way ah ha ah ha they like it.
Move along now.
Say, that's a catchy tune. I'll go out and buy the record. I am, after all, American Consumer Girl. It's my patriotic duty.