Honda Civic outsells the F150

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Jun 4, 2008 | 09:04 AM

#16

s2krn

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Joined: Oct 2007

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxlander

Do a little research. Most euopean nations allow their citizens to enroll in a health plan that best suits their needs. Germany, for instance, has over 600 private, nonprofit "sickness funds." Sickness funds are nonprofit and cannot deny coverage based on preexisting conditions; they compete with each other for members, and fund managers are paid based on the size of their enrollments. So quality of care is an important part of the equation.

In addition if you miss work due to illness you automatically earn 80% of your income much like Aflac provides to pay normal bills like rent, food, car, etc..

Its not only health insurance that those additional taxes provide for the citizens of the european nations.

Here are just a few stats so that we have something to compare apples to apples and not just the sticker price at the pump.

Lets continue to look at Germany:
Entry wage $13/hour
Taxation of an individual's income is progressive. In other words, the higher the income, the higher the rate of tax payable (just like U.S.). In 2008 the Germany tax rates for an individual are 15% - 45%. An annual salary up to $81,320 (52,120 euros) is taxed at 15%.
http://www.worldwide-tax.com/germany/germany_tax.asp
The work week is set at 37.5hours.
http://www.germany.info/relaunch/inf.../working3.html
Federal statute ensures that everybody (even the janitor at the local supermarket) gets a minimum 18 days paid vacation each year. 70% of the workforce accrues 6 weeks.
http://www.germany.info/relaunch/inf.../working4.html
Post secondary (College/university) education is free. That's right, medical school is free.
http://www.germany.info/relaunch/inf...ersities7.html
Massive state maintained mass transit system. Well maintained highways and no toll roads anywhere.
http://www.germany.info/relaunch/inf...ortation1.html

Granted this is not a comprehensive look at the entire tax base, but I think you can agree that the citizens of this nation enjoy a few more government supported benefits that truly offset the higher cost of fuel. Its the big picture that I'm looking at not just the price at the pump.

Most of what you are saying is readily available in the US for cheaper. I pay approx 24 % Fed tax on approx 80K a year; when I was in Texas, Nevada, and Washington there was no state tax. I currently get 3 paid weeks off per year as a new employee; after 3 years service I can take around 5 weeks. My employer offers a long term disability plan that pays me 80% of my income if I'm unable to work beyond my sick time; of which I've accrued 4 weeks in approx 1 year. My set work week is 36 hours per week; I can work everyday if I want to. If I choose to work an extra shift I get paid time and a half plus 75 dollars non taxed. When I graduated high school in Louisiana if you finished school in the top 10% you went to a state school for free!!

My point is... there are plenty of opportunities in the US as well. Don't bash it until you've looked a little closer at other places. Germany may have their stuff straight; but many don't. Look into Canada and the UK's healthcare issues. It is disasterous; you may die from Cancer, Heart Problems, or needing a transplant before it is "your turn". It's great if you have a cold, but get really damn sick and you may die waiting treatment. I don't want the Gov't deciding anything else for me thank you. I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I don't "hate" the US or the way the majority of things are going. SUre there are things I'm disastified with, but I still think I live in the greatest country on earth!!