Are we really free in USA?

[Zebo]

I started this earlier but my posting got screwed up. I ask this because in having a disscussion with an Iranian Nuclear engineer at work.. (as a side note upon graduation in 1980 from Prudue with a PhD it was very difficult for him to find employment as you can imagine with the hostage crisis stuff..he finally found work though and secuirty clearance) He said one thing in Iran you don't have to worry about is the IRS. There are no taxes. Pretty sweet eh? I guess "the people and the state" own it's countries natural resources such as oil, minerals etc were they derive thier income to run governemnt. While we give our treasured resources to a select few with the right connections to profiteer off of and the middle class working pay losta money in taxes always in fear of an audit..

 

[zephyrprime]

I don't think it's good for governments to derive their revenue from natural resources rather than taxation. It makes the government unaccountable. Like in Iran, Peru, or Saudi Arabia. It creates a situation where only people that are associated with the government or with the oil company has any money and everyone else is poor. People may think that they're getting a government for free but there's really no such thing as a free lunch. But I do think that just selling long term natural resources rather than leasing them is a bad idea from a purely financial point of view. I don't think resources that have a long life time (long is relation to the lifespan of the average executive) get capitalized fairly because people don't want to wait a long time for a return on their investment (and who can blame them?). I think it's better to have something like they have in Alaska where the money from oil goes back to the populace directly.

The IRS sould audit people becuase there are plenty of tax cheats. This applies to both individuals and companies. I think taxes are too high but the rule of law demands enforcement of tax code and that requires audits.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
I don't think it's good for governments to derive their revenue from natural resources rather than taxation. It makes the government unaccountable. Like in Iran, Peru, or Saudi Arabia. It creates a situation where only people that are associated with the government or with the oil company has any money and everyone else is poor. People may think that they're getting a government for free but there's really no such thing as a free lunch. But I do think that just selling long term natural resources rather than leasing them is a bad idea from a purely financial point of view. I don't think resources that have a long life time (long is relation to the lifespan of the average executive) get capitalized fairly because people don't want to wait a long time for a return on their investment (and who can blame them?). I think it's better to have something like they have in Alaska where the money from oil goes back to the populace directly.

The IRS sould audit people becuase there are plenty of tax cheats. This applies to both individuals and companies. I think taxes are too high but the rule of law demands enforcement of tax code and that requires audits.

I was just thinking about how nice it would be to actually own your home. Not worry about property taxes forever, sales taxes, state taxes, duties, levies, and IRS audit and asset forfieture where you must prove your innocence. Seems especially difficult if you own you own business. In some ways they are freer, definitly on the financial side of things. I've heard many immigrants say they will make thier money here but then exit upon retirement and take advantage of thier native countries. Of course you'd have to put up with the mullahs so maybe not if you're a christain.. He also said something else interesting which I don't know if it's true that Tehran has over 5000 Jews living there unmolested

 

[LunarRay]

A national sales tax could be developed that would eliminate income tax and the same for the state. No other taxes allowed! A sorta wealth use tax. I you buy a home over X$ it is one rate and so on. Buy an auto and a similar rule applies. Food is tax free etc. Banks send the tax on interest earned to the government. That kinda thing.
Then if you buy a home and stay in it forever you pay no further tax on it.
Arnold is finding out that in three years the deficit will be 60b. His audit said "we spend too much" Duh...

 

[kaizersose]

just imagine what the taxes will be like when the oil runs out

 

[LunarRay]

Originally posted by: kaizersose
just imagine what the taxes will be like when the oil runs out

I imagine the tax on hydrogen will be so heavy that it will change into something else.

 

[maluckey]

Let's see, I've lived in four different contries other than the United States, and I was always glad to be home. Our system isnt perfect, but it is nice to not have to be in the Government to get somewhere. I can do as I please, and still make an honest living.

 

[zephyrprime]

I was just thinking about how nice it would be to actually own your home.

But don't the Iranians own their oil and natural gas? Then why does the government get all the proceeds?

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime

I was just thinking about how nice it would be to actually own your home.

But don't the Iranians own their oil and natural gas? Then why does the government get all the proceeds?

Is that true? I don't know...Mohammed (guy at work...they are all named Mohammed it seems) parents own a grocery so little to do with oil but education and medicine is paid for by the governement to all citizens so I think *some* is getting though..

 

[Corn]

I imagine the tax on hydrogen will be so heavy that it will change into something else.

 

[Gravity]

We're not here because we're free, we're here because we're not free.


==Smith

 

[desy]

You think Taxes= freedom ?? Look at how restrictive ALL of the other laws are and the general overall wealth and health of that countries sits at. . .
Go look where the UN places that country, go look at where the WHO puts the health of its citizenry , look at Amnesty Internationals site to see how the citizens are treated under law , then you tell me how they are better off. . .