France ready to erupt - average citizens have had enough
Sound familiar? Macron Schumer and Pelosi are equally out of touch with the public.
61-69, M
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room101 · 51-55, M
Having read through this entire discussion, there are a number of points which you need to be aware of.
First, income tax. In pretty much every European country income tax is charged at source. This means that employers deduct tax from salaries and pay it over to the government. All employees have what we in the UK call a tax free allowance. This tax free allowance currently stands at approx £11,000 per year. This means that no tax is collected on the first £11,000 that we earn and is only charged on every £1 earned AFTER that allowance amount. The UK government is increasing that amount in 2019. From what I've read, Macron is doing the same thing. What this means is that NO, Macron is not "giving" the French people money from the governments tax coffers. He is taking less from them.
Second, secondary taxation. This is taxation on goods and services which is added to the price of those goods and services, collected by whomever is making the sale and, paid over to the government. There are basically two types of this secondary taxation. Sales tax, which we call Value Added Tax (or V.A.T). So, if a gallon of fuel costs £1.00 and the VAT rate is 20%, that gallon of fuel costs the consumer £1.20. The second type, which is actually charged before VAT (which means that there is VAT charged on this other tax as well), are various forms of import tax and other duties. The purpose of these duties and taxes is not just to add to the governments tax revenues, it is to control and manage the use of certain goods. So, if a government wants to deter its citizens from smoking or drinking excessively, it charges a tax on tobacco and alcohol. Similarly, if a government wants to reduce vehicle usage, it charges a tax on fuel.
Third, the impact of humans on climate change. The vast majority of Europeans agree that humans are having a huge impact on the ecology of our planet. Not just in terms of climate change but in pretty much everything that we do. Consequently, the vast majority of us accept increased taxes on fuel as a way of curbing air pollution and green house gas emissions.
Fourth, Steve Bannon and the rise of populism. It is a well documented fact that Steve Bannon has been instrumental in the rise of right-wing populism and that this has been going on for a number of years. He was indeed Vice President of Cambridge Analytica and he did indeed start touring Europe in the summer of 2018 (pretty much immediately after Trump came to the UK and was met with massive demonstrations against him). There is a lot that I could write about this, but this reply is long enough as it is so, I'll leave it up to you to carry out your own research and comment if you feel so inclined. One thing, however, NO Hilary Clinton did not use Cambridge Analytica. If you have any sources which state (with evidence) the contrary, I would be very interested to see them.
Fifth, the Yellow Vest demonstrations in France. The French have a very long tradition of taking action against government policies which they disagree with. They have very strong unions who actively support each other. The Yellow Vest demonstrations came about because Macron increased the tax on vehicle fuel as a way of curbing CO2 emissions. This back-fired because it increased the cost of all goods and services. So, the demonstrations themselves are nothing new. What is somewhat unusual is the level of violence being perpetrated. There are many who argue that this violence has been agitated by right-wing populists. I would be very interested to see anybody's thoughts on this.
First, income tax. In pretty much every European country income tax is charged at source. This means that employers deduct tax from salaries and pay it over to the government. All employees have what we in the UK call a tax free allowance. This tax free allowance currently stands at approx £11,000 per year. This means that no tax is collected on the first £11,000 that we earn and is only charged on every £1 earned AFTER that allowance amount. The UK government is increasing that amount in 2019. From what I've read, Macron is doing the same thing. What this means is that NO, Macron is not "giving" the French people money from the governments tax coffers. He is taking less from them.
Second, secondary taxation. This is taxation on goods and services which is added to the price of those goods and services, collected by whomever is making the sale and, paid over to the government. There are basically two types of this secondary taxation. Sales tax, which we call Value Added Tax (or V.A.T). So, if a gallon of fuel costs £1.00 and the VAT rate is 20%, that gallon of fuel costs the consumer £1.20. The second type, which is actually charged before VAT (which means that there is VAT charged on this other tax as well), are various forms of import tax and other duties. The purpose of these duties and taxes is not just to add to the governments tax revenues, it is to control and manage the use of certain goods. So, if a government wants to deter its citizens from smoking or drinking excessively, it charges a tax on tobacco and alcohol. Similarly, if a government wants to reduce vehicle usage, it charges a tax on fuel.
Third, the impact of humans on climate change. The vast majority of Europeans agree that humans are having a huge impact on the ecology of our planet. Not just in terms of climate change but in pretty much everything that we do. Consequently, the vast majority of us accept increased taxes on fuel as a way of curbing air pollution and green house gas emissions.
Fourth, Steve Bannon and the rise of populism. It is a well documented fact that Steve Bannon has been instrumental in the rise of right-wing populism and that this has been going on for a number of years. He was indeed Vice President of Cambridge Analytica and he did indeed start touring Europe in the summer of 2018 (pretty much immediately after Trump came to the UK and was met with massive demonstrations against him). There is a lot that I could write about this, but this reply is long enough as it is so, I'll leave it up to you to carry out your own research and comment if you feel so inclined. One thing, however, NO Hilary Clinton did not use Cambridge Analytica. If you have any sources which state (with evidence) the contrary, I would be very interested to see them.
Fifth, the Yellow Vest demonstrations in France. The French have a very long tradition of taking action against government policies which they disagree with. They have very strong unions who actively support each other. The Yellow Vest demonstrations came about because Macron increased the tax on vehicle fuel as a way of curbing CO2 emissions. This back-fired because it increased the cost of all goods and services. So, the demonstrations themselves are nothing new. What is somewhat unusual is the level of violence being perpetrated. There are many who argue that this violence has been agitated by right-wing populists. I would be very interested to see anybody's thoughts on this.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
I agree with you. Let’s call it the CNN/UN/Paris Accord kool aid drinkers. @TheOneyouwerewarnedabout
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Heartlander · 80-89, M
room101 · 51-55, M
@jackjjackson As I've said elsewhere on this post, the French have a very long tradition of demonstrating against government policies that they do not like. And, again as I've said previously, they have very strong unions which support such protests.
Going by trumps consistently low approval ratings, I would say that many Americans are just as angry with trump as the French are with Macron. However, no disrespect to the USA but, for all your talk of being against "big government", you guys don't have either a history of protest against government nor unions that actually mean anything to speak of.
Going by trumps consistently low approval ratings, I would say that many Americans are just as angry with trump as the French are with Macron. However, no disrespect to the USA but, for all your talk of being against "big government", you guys don't have either a history of protest against government nor unions that actually mean anything to speak of.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
Good points. Is it possible the protests in France will lead to overthrow? @room101
room101 · 51-55, M
@jackjjackson I very much doubt it. But I really don't know.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
Yep and CA was hired by Mrs Clinton. @eMortal
katielass · F
People all over the world have gotten tired of the left's attempts to drive us back into the dark ages where the government ruled your lives and you had no freedom. Those who can see are the threat to the pelosi types for they know they aren't fooling us and as long as we are vocal their ideology has no chance.
JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M
@jackjjackson 🙄
Government funding of school should include secular validation of the material being taught.
As for your attempt to make a point about infrastructure, I don't think you have one.
Trump wants to shut down the government to get a wall to solve a virtually non-existent illegal immigration issue. He complains about the western states and their mismanagement of forests, while failing to validate reports by his own government that rising temperatures that CONTRIBUTE to these forest fires are in fact real.
He wants to spend money on things we don't need and refuses to spend money where we need it. He wants big government control as mentioned above, but points at everyone else for creating big government.
He's a walking contradiction.
Government funding of school should include secular validation of the material being taught.
As for your attempt to make a point about infrastructure, I don't think you have one.
Trump wants to shut down the government to get a wall to solve a virtually non-existent illegal immigration issue. He complains about the western states and their mismanagement of forests, while failing to validate reports by his own government that rising temperatures that CONTRIBUTE to these forest fires are in fact real.
He wants to spend money on things we don't need and refuses to spend money where we need it. He wants big government control as mentioned above, but points at everyone else for creating big government.
He's a walking contradiction.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
What policies would you like to see put into place? @JoeyFoxx
akindheart · 61-69, F
QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M
@jackjjackson Thing is, that’s not what he set out to do, and that’s not what he wanted. Now he’s been forced to own the shutdown. It could work out for him, but I think most people view [i]him[/i] as the obstructionist here.
The dems are even willing to find the wall if he gives them something, too. The wall is dumb, but there isn’t a fundamental ideological opposition there.
The dems are even willing to find the wall if he gives them something, too. The wall is dumb, but there isn’t a fundamental ideological opposition there.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
I heard a couple of interesting things on Sirius politics today
65% of republicans are in favor of a shutdown for a wall
The second more interesting is that republicans don’t want a barrier not called a wall and democrats are in favor of a barrier not called a wall. Crazy huh? @QuixoticSoul
65% of republicans are in favor of a shutdown for a wall
The second more interesting is that republicans don’t want a barrier not called a wall and democrats are in favor of a barrier not called a wall. Crazy huh? @QuixoticSoul
akindheart · 61-69, F
@QuixoticSoul he was NOT FORCED to own the shutdown. he took it willingly. he is NOT an obstructionist. the dems looked like liars, and fakes. and certainly not transparent. they wanted the press out. trump forced their hand. pelosi and schumer waited to bash him outside. cowards
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MarmeeMarch · M
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
Fortunately I have no knowledge of that or the similar devices opened by Mrs Warren and Mrs Clinton. @MarmeeMarch
MarmeeMarch · M
@jackjjackson Warren has one in the shape of a small totem pole ( that's right - She aint going to live this one down ) and Clinton - well - what can I say other than her's is "U" shaped because it's too afraid to go in that nasty snatch.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
Excellent material sir! @MarmeeMarch
SimplyTracie · 26-30, F
You’re in touch. What exactly do you want?
I want Trump and Macron and May and Xi and a few others to have a live debate on the topic of Climate Change. Televised of course. It should be entertaining.
I want Trump and Macron and May and Xi and a few others to have a live debate on the topic of Climate Change. Televised of course. It should be entertaining.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
The same issues exist is the US. The same thing isn’t happening ...... YET. Something pushed the average French citizen to decide enough is enough - a tipping point. I suspect that as the divisions between the elites and the public increase the tipping point will be reached. @SimplyTracie
SimplyTracie · 26-30, F
@jackjjackson So how do we close the gap between the elitist and the average American?
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
Tax and censor some of the elitists lol? A few particularly obnoxious ones inhabit SW wonder what they think? Send them all to CA make them pay its massive bills and cut it adrift? @SimplyTracie
NoSugar · 22-25, F
the situation in france is in absolutely no way comparable to the usa...
trump can be glad that americans know shit about revolutions or those yellow vests would have burned him on a stake already
trump can be glad that americans know shit about revolutions or those yellow vests would have burned him on a stake already
QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M
Yeah cutting taxes on the wealthy and trying to jack them up on everyone else didn’t work out so well.
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
How could it? The income tax system has always been a progressive one. It still is but less so. The screws will turned on the top end again in the future. As time goes on due to inflation the floor for people paying no tax also goes up. I haven’t gotten a good answer about where the extra 10% in France will come from. Do you know? @QuixoticSoul