Best Place in the world to live?

[Matthew Kane 1,305]

Using google's numbers I get $2112 per capita...man woman and child.

Still, the number of income taxpayers is less than half the population, so it's higher still.

 

True dat....the number increases when you factor in the amount paid by employed Americans, as well as income levels. So the amount you pay varies from person to person.

 

The scheme reminds me of the Mafia going around to small business owners and asking for 'Protection Money' :rolleyes:

[HawkDsl 50]

It is barkrupt and I may not get a dime from the many thousands of dollars I have invested i

 

:Doh:

[TurboTomato 90]

I am at about 20% tax rate. In the U.S. we have a progressive tax system. If you make more than 250k you're taxed at a 35% rate. The president wants to increase it to 40% for those making for than 250k. It's not as bad as it is in some European countries but that's where Mr. Obama wants to take our country.

 

Essentially, the welfare state seeks to transfer wealth from the productive class to the non-productive class of our society in the name of social equality. It hasn't worked in Europe and it sure won't work in the United States. The European societies are over-taxed and it is why you're seeing high unemployment and its economies on the verge of collapse. And Germany has to pay for the irresponsible countries such like Greece? Welfare programs should only be reserved for the incapacitated, those who can't make it own their own. But if you have a set of hands and brain, you're must find your way.

 

UK tax system is progressive as well, though our higher rate (40%) kicks in pretty low (around £40k). Having said that the mean UK salary is about £26k so the majority will not pay.

 

You have to stop tarring all European countries with the same brush in terms of thinking we have the same socialist/capitalist balance and tax system; we simply don't. The UK is different from Ireland (Republic) as we have already seen from the discussions between Ró and I and most people assume (incorrectly!) that the UK and ROI are the same! France is different again, as is Germany, Greece, Spain etc etc. It's like assuming all Central and South American countries work the same as the US because they're in roughly the same part of the world.

 

I'm quite happy with our family's healthcare costs over the past few years:

Girlfriend had a ablation procedure on her heart to correct a problem causing supra ventricular tachycardia, top London hospital - £0

Baby son delivered at new local hospital, 5 day stay due to c-section - £0

Father had minor heart attack and ended up having quadruple heart bypass, 3 week stay in hospital - £0

Girlfriend's pregnant sister has a rare condition resulting from a low lying placenta which means at 28 weeks she was hospitalised until the baby arrives - possibly 10 weeks + in hospital. Same hospital as my son was born in - brand new, all private rooms with ensuite, TV. £0

 

Anyway to finish on a different note, have a picture of my garden:

 

[mganz121 159]

I came here to NZ 35 years ago from the UK for a six month holiday - and what a holiday it has been! I've seen a lot of changes here, some for the better and some for the worse and I'm sure that is worldwide.

 

But, the one thing that has not changed, is the attitude and friendliness of the majority of Kiwis. And that is why I call NZ home and gets my vote for best place to raise a family.

[Airbus Commander 563]

LOL.....We've got a few of those too.

 

But here is the big question. Does your McDonald's serve a Lamb Burger???

No, sadly there are no lamb-burgers in Ireland, :( unless you make them at home yourself, in which case we'd have plenty... ^_^

 

I have never sat around complaining about how unfair it is that neighbors won't pay for my life expenses.

How nice, and what I suppose, I sit around and complain about how my neighbors won't pay for my life expense? Is that what you're implying? :huh:

 

Now tell me if the government is the best administrator of your funds?

I think so, it's got much greater buying power than any private company, and is underwritten by the people of the country, so as long as there are people living here, the funds won't dry up.

 

I was referring to the Greek government mismanagement not the people.

The government of a country represents the people of that country. Thing is, the Government of a country is democratically elected and chosen by it's people, so you are in fact insulting the people of Greece for the choices they made, and as I say to anyone here at home, if you didn't vote, you have absolutely no right to complain or moan about the decisions that Government are making. You've not voted in the Greek election I take it, so you have no right to go about lambasting the government of an independent democracy. You can have opinions and make points as to what you think can be done better, but you cannot insult the people of another country by telling them that the people they chose to rule them are idiots that are not fit for the job. That's democracy, Greece is the home of it, you can either like it or lump it. I think you owe an apology to the people of Greece.

 

Regards,

Ró.

[Dave Morgan 68]

Hi.

 

Are you in the Brecon Beacons Dave?

 

A bit further north: Llanidloes (not far from EGCW) (see the member map). Convenient for the Beacons and Snowdonia.

 

I'm Curious about the Rock Pile there.. I'm a big fan of ruins.

 

It's Carn Hyddgen N52° 30' 7" W3° 46' 50", a bronze age double cairn. I suppose it was a bit more crisp when first built. The outer faces of the cairns are almost vertical and the inner faces set at a much shallower angle. Viewed from the right spot (a much larger double cairn with two quartz crowns a mile or so away) it has the shape of the two prongs of a crescent moon just breaking the horizon.

 

Ytzpilot, there's something very attractive about a country which has glaciers almost withing shouting distance of tropical beaches!

 

Ró, Galway looks very like a cross between Mid Wales and the NW Highland- that could be a little bit of paradise too, and the sheep would have me feeling right at home.

 

Cheers,

D

[Airbus Commander 563]

As for pictures here are a few from around the year of the places I live now:

 

My wife and I on a hike through the forest on Oahu with the H3 behind us:

So, Sylvester Stallone is your Father then??? Good to know... ^_^

[Krister 51]

I guess there are so many places I'd like to visit and perhaps call home, at least for a while. But when I've had a nice steak with the family, the kids are sound a sleep, and I stroll down to the boat house and sit myself down in the sun chair with my wife besides me and a glass of wine in my hand, there really isn't anywhere else I'd rather be in the whole wide world. For some reason it's impossible to think about house loans or what the future will be for the kids, all worries just disappear!

[KevinAu 441]

The government of a country represents the people of that country. Thing is, the Government of a country is democratically elected and chosen by it's people, so you are in fact insulting the people of Greece for the choices they made, and as I say to anyone here at home, if you didn't vote, you have absolutely no right to complain or moan about the decisions that Government are making. You've not voted in the Greek election I take it, so you have no right to go about lambasting the government of an independent democracy. You can have opinions and make points as to what you think can be done better, but you cannot insult the people of another country by telling them that the people they chose to rule them are idiots that are not fit for the job. That's democracy, Greece is the home of it, you can either like it or lump it. I think you owe an apology to the people of Greece.

 

Regards,

Ró.

 

If that is the case, then there are a lot of people around the world that owe America apologies for everything they said when George W. was president.

[CraigyW 30]

To make a proper comparison you need to firstly compare incomes for liek jobs. Then determine what percentage of your income goes on lifes necessities and include income taxes and other mandatory payments such as national insurance. Then you compare what percentage of yur income is left for discretionary spending. One thing you can't figure into your calculations is the quality of life.

 

As for the US debt and the Greek debt. Whilst both countries have high debts, it is less of an issue in the US because of the diverse nature of the US economy which enables it to meet its debt obligations. The big issue for Greece is the poor financial management over the years which includes failing to put in place the processes to ensure that all taxes were collected.

[Huascar 179]

I do not think I said anything offensive. When a government overspends I consider it irresponsible and that goes for the USA as well. Let me share with you what socialism is doing to some European countries. Below are the headlines. The Republican Party of the United States promises to repeal the heathlaw implemented by President Obama to avoid this....

 

Depression, Suicides Rise as Euro Debt Crisis Intensifies

 

http://www.cnbc.com/id/48883704

 

Fears Rising, Spaniards Pull Out Their Cash and Get Out of Spain

 

http://www.cnbc.com/id/48889555

[Great Ozzie 101]

it is less of an issue in the US because of the diverse nature of the US economy which enables it to meet its debt obligations.

 

That is very little comfort to me...

 

 

[Huascar 179]

I agree that we have a monumental debt and that's why we need to fire President Obama and elect Mitt Romney.

 

Debt has increased from 7 trillion to 18 trillion under Obama’s watch. Not only is the government spending what it gets in taxes but it is also borrowing more to spend more. On top of it all, the President wants to raise taxes to continue with his entittlement programs. Tell me how this is a winning formula. Does the math ad up? This is a receipt for disaster.

 

In terms comparing Greece’s economy to the U.S., are you serious? Ofcourse the USA will have higher debt but whose economy is larger? I won’t deny the fact that if Obama is reelected we will look a lot like Greece. And that’s a memo.

[Airbus Commander 563]

That is very little comfort to me...

 

 

Nice picture, but let's look at some other economies Debt per Capita:

 

Germany: $57,755 - And a strong economy.

Switzerland: $154,063 - But how does that work?

New Zealand: $52,300 - But, that's a strong economy right?

Australia: $52,596 - And their economy is growing right?

Norway: $131,220 - And an unemployment rate of only 2.6%...

 

I guess I'm saying that state owned debt is not the be all and end all of what makes an economy strong, nor a country good to live in.

 

Regards,

Ró.

[Great Ozzie 101]

I guess I'm saying that state owned debt is not the be all and end all of what makes an economy strong, nor a country good to live in.

 

That was not was I implied. I really have no intention of leaving my country unless a job takes me outside it.

 

But carrying a high debt load is not a good thing and I for one don't care to be servicing it.

 

And spending a half trillion dollars a year on interest alone is just plain stupid. Could buy a lot of FSX add-ons for that instead of financing the Chinese military (nothing against the Chinese btw... just prefer the money be spent here at home).

 

-Rob