Tiny Rant
I love my country, but sometimes, I feel really really disappointed in it.
Did you know that taxes on airfare ceased being collected, starting on last Friday at midnight, because Congress can’t get their act together and do the things they are supposed to do? (Also, did you know the airlines are the ones benefiting from this, NOT us? Unsurprising, really.)
And this is just one, small, uncontroversial thing that annoys me. Clearly, there are some major issues (on both sides!). I feel like many of the politicians are just playing games. It’s like they don’t even realize the fate of (one of?) the most powerful countries in the world lies in their decisions (or lack thereof).
FRUSTRATING.
Maybe we should revive our plans to move to Europe for a year or two. Or forever. Ug.
Agreed.
Fuming over here.
Mankiw has an interesting post about this. Certainly doesn’t seem as cut and dry as “airlines are screwing their customers.”
http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2011/07/question-about-tax-incidence.html
Don’t more to Europe it’s in worse trouble than the US! Move to Australia our national debt is only 3% of GDP and the average wage here is at todays exchange rates US$67,580. Come on down we’re a super friendly secular people with awesome beaches
Sorry don’t “move” to Europe.
Hmm…if you want to be taxed more than 50% of your income, get subpar medical service, and realize you’re better off NOT working and getting paid to sit on your butt…then move to Europe.
Regarding Debt Consolidation Nation’s comment, Australia does sound interesting but the cost of living is so high there! The higher salaries make up for it, but you’ll still be taxed through the nose.
I guess I just got used to being taxed less than 15% here in Asia
I am not sure I’d do well in Asia long term. I’m thinking like norway, the worlds most happiest/prosperous country! ( according to… http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/104304/20110124/norway-is-world-s-most-prosperous-happiest-country-zimbabwe-is-the-poorest-unhappiest.htm) A rich and socialist country!
I lean a little socialist, but maybe only because I live in America which is not actually socialist (grass is green syndrome).
In reality, I will probably just stay here.
Australia’s tax system is the most effective at redistributing income in an egalitarian way (http://clubtroppo.com.au/2011/07/11/how-fair-is-australias-welfare-state/). I’m just not sure I could handle the poverty in a lot of asian nations, Singapore or Korea would be cool though.
Fabulously Broke just did a post on cost of living in singapore. http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2011/07/cost-of-living-matters-more-than-you-think/
I think I’d have a hard time adjusting to an eastern culture. I spent 6 months in Hong Kong, and that is a very “easy” asian country, in my opinion. Even then, I was glad to go home.
It just drives me nuts that politicians change their minds on what’s important based on what the news is. One minute all we care about are jobs, the next we care about taxes, now we care about the debt ceiling/deficit. I don’t know if there’s a perfect solution, but I’m pretty sick of politicians grandstanding about their current concern. Agreed, both sides are kind of crazy right now. And it seems some would rather be re-elected than actually do what’s right for our country (and the world economy, for that matter).
Not saying I know what the right decision is. But it seems that no one is even trying to fix things.