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Sales tax in Europe. Wow! I had no idea.

Average about 24% highest hungary at 27% lowest switzerland at 8%. And Americans complain about income tax. What The F. . . Ah!
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ViciDraco · 41-45, M
My problem with taxes in the US isn't with paying them, it's our lack of willingness to put them into long term social investments anymore. We're gutting systems and denying services to the many based on the fears that a few are leeching off of the system. Though, I'm personally in favor of bringing in wealth taxes rather than adjusting sales taxes.
Thrust · 56-60, M
@iamthe99

Yep they all get a free ride. While you proudly self proclaimed mediocrities cover their entire ride

Now, repeat after me

I
Demand
The
World
Know
I
Am
Inferior
iamthe99 · M
@Thrust Hehe, wow bold move! Declaring yourself inferior in all caps like it's some kind of power play? That’s some next-level reverse psychology (or just regular psychology minus the "logic" part 🤣).

Let me get this straight: you took the time, used your thumbs (presumably), and proudly assembled a sentence that basically screams, “Hey everyone! I’ve lost the argument before it even started!” I mean, if confidence were a currency, you’d be in emotional bankruptcy right now.

But let’s give credit where it’s due. It takes real talent to write something that’s both grammatically correct and completely self-owning. Like, this is the kind of thing that makes autocorrect want to quit its job.

And just to clarify...was this meant to be edgy? Because it reads more like a cry for help written in Microsoft Paint circa 2007. If you were trying to be ironic, congratulations: you’ve achieved the comedic impact of a wet sock. If it was serious, then… eep. Therapy is cheaper than posting this kind of content online for free.

But hey, thanks for reminding us all that self-awareness is a skill, not a default setting. You’ve turned being unserious into an art form; and while it’s abstract at best, I appreciate the effort. Kind of like a kid drawing a stick figure and calling it “existential crisis.”

So yes, the world now knows what you want them to: that you’ve put your inferiority out on display like it’s a limited-time offer. Just don’t be surprised when no one’s lining up to claim it.

🤣
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Elessar · 31-35, M
Yeah but even paying 22% on everything for your entire life you'd spend less in VAT that you'd spend in the USA once if you had anything semi-serious medically wise lol

Plus last I checked our VAT-ed products (I mean, with the tax applied) don't cost anywhere as much as 22% more than they cost in the US
jehova · 31-35, M
@Elessar America is a child
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@Elessar the US is the only alleged first world country without some form of universal health care.
It would be interesting to see what services Europeans receive for those high taxes…many countries have some form of national healthcare, so an injury or serious illness doesn’t mean bankruptcy. Some countries even provide access to advanced education scholarships— little or no student debts following you for the rest of your life.
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
In many, if not most, it is a VAT, value added tax. Every step in the harvesting of raw ingredients to the actual sale represents a rise in value of that item, and each is taxed. It is really a regressive tax if applied to necessities of life.
graphite · 61-69, M
Hey, I thought everything was free in Europe? Education, medical care... You mean they tax everyone big to pay for that stuff? Who'd have thought it?
iamthe99 · M
@graphite I see. You don't think, perhaps, the problem is that the US healthcare "system" is complex, fragmented, and profit-driven, with high administrative costs, expensive prescription drugs, and has a complete lack of price controls and transparency?
graphite · 61-69, M
@iamthe99 The payment process needs fixing but it's not a place like Canada, where you can wait months and months for vital treatment. And where did Mick Jagger go when he needed heart surgery? To Britain's national health care system? Nope - he hopped a plane to NYC.

From AI Overview: In 2024, the median wait time for surgery in Canada was 30 weeks, which is 222% longer than in 1993. This wait time includes both the time it takes to get a specialist consultation and the time it takes to receive treatment after the consultation. Wait times vary significantly by province and specialty, with some provinces like Prince Edward Island having much longer waits than others like Ontario.


...last time I needed surgery, I waited 5 days..
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@graphite you drank all the KoolAde. I worked in the US healthcare system, which is an oxymoron. I also spent time on the UK system and the US military. Our technology may be the greatest, our actual ability to provide health care stinks.


I have no idea what surgery you were able to schedule in 5 days, because even i can't get to see a physician for a nonemergency in such a short time. Emergencies in an ER and you can count on staying a full day, mostly spending hours before being seen by a physician.

The problem will likely get worse, particularly on rural US if the house's Medicaid cuts are enacted.
Yeah, Amercians...imagine getting pissed off about income taxes (federal & state), payroll taxes, excise taxes, VAT taxes, property taxes, capital gains taxes, estate taxes, hidden taxes within the cost goods. The nerve...afterall, the gov't only has our best interests at heart when they steal the money or launder it to friends or their ideological agendas.
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jehova · 31-35, M
@Thrust go eat your neurotoxic high fructose corn syrup. Grandpa.
Thrust · 56-60, M
@jehova

Wow! Scathingly clever

Did your case worker write that Cletus?
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SW-User
Yeah but Europe uses the money from taxes to provide services to the communities that are needed
SW-User
@jehova You are hopeful
jehova · 31-35, M
@SW-User hopeful but realistically it is not going to happen; especially not during Trump.
SW-User
@jehova I don't think it will either
CrazyMusicLover · 31-35
Isn't it the same way in USA but they are only added later, so you never know how much you're going to pay beforehand?
jehova · 31-35, M
@CrazyMusicLover rather than bring business to underpreforming areas with lower tax rates. Instead taxes are higher in the areas thst preform best. VAT
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@jehova but put sales tax is a one time added amount on the finished product. A VST is almost a compounded tax.
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@CrazyMusicLover yes, and see it added to the bill at the time, place of purchase.
Thrust · 56-60, M
Amazing you get a woody over taxes. You are seriously not right
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FoolishLuna · 56-60, F
BC it’s 12 percent
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@FoolishLuna is that on all purchases? Is food exempt?
FoolishLuna · 56-60, F
@samueltyler2 majority of food but not snack foods are exempt.
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@FoolishLuna clothing?
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jehova · 31-35, M
@jshm2 its true. Ive been arguing with some guy about American income tax needing to be the same for everyone. Im saying it should be 30% across the board. Thatd pay the bills. He was screaming No No thats too high, followed by loud yells (texts) of "Scary socailism!". so i responded Europes is 35% incone tax roughly. I had thought sales tax was built in. Nope!
@jshm2 True! Including full health care!! Nobody goes bankrupt over a hospital bill!!!

 
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