The idea is that your representatives are in theory going to listen to what their constituents want the money spent on. Apparently it was war. The fact that people changed their minds midway through the war doesn't change the fact that we got in it and need to disengage ourselves properly, and not just airlift ever soldier out overnight.Octopod wrote:Im in Mass too. I dont mind taxes at all. I do mind that it is spent on funding wars though. I wish we would get a form to fill out directing where our money went or something. That will never happen though.
Taxes
Re: Taxes
Blizzard Entertainment Software Developer - All comments and views are my own and not representative of the company.
Re: Taxes
Ok, I need to get something off my chest since I am sensitive about this subject
NO ONE TELLS ME WE ARE RICH!!!
That is another stereotype fed to the west by the media. Numbers speak, here is the GDP of my country: 21,236 million
This is United states: 14, 264, 600 million
that means my country makes 0.001488% of what your country makes.
How come we are rich?
Sure, every Saudi owns an oil barrel in his house. Lets see how much they make in GDP.
$481, 631 million which means a WHOPPING 0.0337% of USA GDP!
YES, we are rich! OIL FREE OIL,
it even can't get 1% of the American economy, heck not even 0.5%.
Please no one gives me the free oil thing,
I also have to say, all your politicians are lying to you about all the foreign oil use and how you should deduct it. Here is what happens.
Saudia has oil. America pay 1 million for oil. They give Saudia the 1 million in the right hand, Saudia holds that 1 million with that left hand and give it back to America for military equipment, automobiles ,and every other product on the market other than bread which if it could last for a couple of weeks would be imported. It is funny to me that in America they use the word 'imported'. I am like 'What do you mean?' , everything is imported here. Is it even possible to have something produced locally? Even tv shows are imported.
After getting that off my chest, yes oil does pay for everything. I have to add that here countries own companies, for the longest time our telecommunication company was mostly government owned.
I don't mean to make any one feel bad, but we also do get free education(sucks in quality in my opinion) and healthcare(sucks too imo). We also get free house from the government, I guess when you get married. It sucks in my country though, you have to wait like 10-15 years to get it and then pay $100 each month for it for like another 10-15 years maybe. I also hear in Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE electricity and land telephone is free. This is possible because rulers here are supreme, that means they have 100% say on anything and everything. Basically, that means they own the whole country(Yes, that means King of Saudia Arabia is the richest breathing organism on planet earth).
back to the topic, I still do not agree to the way taxes are dealt with. It is so confusing with all the numbers and percentages , and it is really high. I kind of get the idea about property tax now, but still think it is not fair. Tax charities then if you want their money.
Still, no one told me how they feel about paying taxes. Are you really fine giving the government like 50% of what you make, even worse using it to pay for bombing people in Iraq-Afghanistan and building a super duper satellite nuclear rocket launcher in space while there are Americans on earth poor and homeless?
But I do appreciate whatever public facilities that exist like universities, libraries, parks. We don't have much of that. Actually I just went to a new library built here that supposedly had costed $44 million, there was hardly any business books. There was like 10 books on economy, 5 on manufacturing, and maybe 20 more here and there. WTF!
NO ONE TELLS ME WE ARE RICH!!!
That is another stereotype fed to the west by the media. Numbers speak, here is the GDP of my country: 21,236 million
This is United states: 14, 264, 600 million
that means my country makes 0.001488% of what your country makes.
How come we are rich?
Sure, every Saudi owns an oil barrel in his house. Lets see how much they make in GDP.
$481, 631 million which means a WHOPPING 0.0337% of USA GDP!
YES, we are rich! OIL FREE OIL,
it even can't get 1% of the American economy, heck not even 0.5%.
Please no one gives me the free oil thing,
I also have to say, all your politicians are lying to you about all the foreign oil use and how you should deduct it. Here is what happens.
Saudia has oil. America pay 1 million for oil. They give Saudia the 1 million in the right hand, Saudia holds that 1 million with that left hand and give it back to America for military equipment, automobiles ,and every other product on the market other than bread which if it could last for a couple of weeks would be imported. It is funny to me that in America they use the word 'imported'. I am like 'What do you mean?' , everything is imported here. Is it even possible to have something produced locally? Even tv shows are imported.
After getting that off my chest, yes oil does pay for everything. I have to add that here countries own companies, for the longest time our telecommunication company was mostly government owned.
I don't mean to make any one feel bad, but we also do get free education(sucks in quality in my opinion) and healthcare(sucks too imo). We also get free house from the government, I guess when you get married. It sucks in my country though, you have to wait like 10-15 years to get it and then pay $100 each month for it for like another 10-15 years maybe. I also hear in Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE electricity and land telephone is free. This is possible because rulers here are supreme, that means they have 100% say on anything and everything. Basically, that means they own the whole country(Yes, that means King of Saudia Arabia is the richest breathing organism on planet earth).
back to the topic, I still do not agree to the way taxes are dealt with. It is so confusing with all the numbers and percentages , and it is really high. I kind of get the idea about property tax now, but still think it is not fair. Tax charities then if you want their money.
Still, no one told me how they feel about paying taxes. Are you really fine giving the government like 50% of what you make, even worse using it to pay for bombing people in Iraq-Afghanistan and building a super duper satellite nuclear rocket launcher in space while there are Americans on earth poor and homeless?
But I do appreciate whatever public facilities that exist like universities, libraries, parks. We don't have much of that. Actually I just went to a new library built here that supposedly had costed $44 million, there was hardly any business books. There was like 10 books on economy, 5 on manufacturing, and maybe 20 more here and there. WTF!
Re: Taxes
MrPopo wrote:The idea is that your representatives are in theory going to listen to what their constituents want the money spent on. Apparently it was war. The fact that people changed their minds midway through the war doesn't change the fact that we got in it and need to disengage ourselves properly, and not just airlift ever soldier out overnight.Octopod wrote:Im in Mass too. I dont mind taxes at all. I do mind that it is spent on funding wars though. I wish we would get a form to fill out directing where our money went or something. That will never happen though.
My mind was not changed at any point.
And kingmohd, noone in the US pays 50% of their wages in taxes. It is more like 12-20% and alot of people get to write alot of it off and poor people get most of it back every year. Atleast when I was under the poverty line when I used to do factory work I got just about everything I paid in back. I wouldnt mind if it was somewhat higher but not 50%. lol
Re: Taxes
Actually, you should take a moment to look at your population figures.kingmohd84 wrote:Ok, I need to get something off my chest since I am sensitive about this subject
NO ONE TELLS ME WE ARE RICH!!!
That is another stereotype fed to the west by the media. Numbers speak, here is the GDP of my country: 21,236 million
This is United states: 14, 264, 600 million
that means my country makes 0.001488% of what your country makes.
How come we are rich?
Sure, every Saudi owns an oil barrel in his house. Lets see how much they make in GDP.
$481, 631 million which means a WHOPPING 0.0337% of USA GDP!
YES, we are rich! OIL FREE OIL,
it even can't get 1% of the American economy, heck not even 0.5%.
Please no one gives me the free oil thing,
I also have to say, all your politicians are lying to you about all the foreign oil use and how you should deduct it.
Population of Bahrain: about 708,500
Population of United States: about 307,000,000
Your GDP may be much smaller, but it's also spread among much fewer people, less than 0.5% of our total population. Heck, less than .1%. And while oil may not be as big as some of the other Arab nations, you also have a large selection of raceways(which is helping to increase the tourism industry), a large publishing industry(especially for the region), and your banking institutions are apparently quite good.
In fact, Bahrain is said to have one of the world's fastest growing economies in recent years. I wouldn't sell your nation short, my friend. Bahrain sounds like it's quite a nice place. Which governorate do you live in again?
Re: Taxes
I've accepted taxes as an inevitability of representative government. I currently pay about 25% of my income in taxes and during tax return season I generally am at a break even point; maybe needing to pay the government a few hundred dollars. As for how the money is used, I feel the government's responsibility is to keep the country safe first and foremost. Funding publics schools I feel is essential to provide everyone the opportunity to make their path in life; if they don't take advantage of that opportunity I have no sympathy for them. And finally there's the upkeep of vital infrastructure, such as the roads and police force. I'm sure I'm missing a lot of stuff the government provides that I'm missing, but those are the big things that jump to mind that I agree with. Not to start a debate, and I will IGNORE replies to this to avoid such a debate, but I do not feel our money is well spent trying to uplift the poor/homeless.kingmohd84 wrote:Still, no one told me how they feel about paying taxes. Are you really fine giving the government like 50% of what you make, even worse using it to pay for bombing people in Iraq-Afghanistan and building a super duper satellite nuclear rocket launcher in space while there are Americans on earth poor and homeless?
Blizzard Entertainment Software Developer - All comments and views are my own and not representative of the company.
Re: Taxes
I dont care if you are going to ignor my comments, I'm going to make them anyway...
Helping poor people is a worthy use of tax money, most of us end up down on our luck from time to time and would rather give those people a hand than have them throw out on the street. I am a great beleiver in the good old Welfare State, and I think that people who think it should be abolished because they are priveladged and dont care about other peoples less fortunate situation have a fairly selfish attitude.
Now if you are talking about people who are poor because they are lazy and choose not to partake in society - well thats a different issue but not all poor people are that way from there own doing.
@kingmohd84 - I have to agree with Ack, that the population size of your country swings the stats back in your favour. For all the stuff that America exports it cant afford to fund itself without income taxes, and certainly cant give cash to its residents.
To answer your question, I guess taxes are just accepted as part of life. Sometimes it bugs me to look at my pay slip and how much the tax office has taken but there isnt much I can do about it and ulitmately I understand why this has to happen. Not everyone is as understanding as I am, expecially when the press continually tell us how much the politicians pay themselves and how much they claim for expenses.
What is the reason that Americans have to sort out there own taxes? Ours is taken out of wages before we even get paid them, so there is little for us to do other than check that they have taken the correct amount. Seems like paying it at the end of the year just opens up the oppurtunity to spend it on other things and get into a finacial mess.
Helping poor people is a worthy use of tax money, most of us end up down on our luck from time to time and would rather give those people a hand than have them throw out on the street. I am a great beleiver in the good old Welfare State, and I think that people who think it should be abolished because they are priveladged and dont care about other peoples less fortunate situation have a fairly selfish attitude.
Now if you are talking about people who are poor because they are lazy and choose not to partake in society - well thats a different issue but not all poor people are that way from there own doing.
@kingmohd84 - I have to agree with Ack, that the population size of your country swings the stats back in your favour. For all the stuff that America exports it cant afford to fund itself without income taxes, and certainly cant give cash to its residents.
To answer your question, I guess taxes are just accepted as part of life. Sometimes it bugs me to look at my pay slip and how much the tax office has taken but there isnt much I can do about it and ulitmately I understand why this has to happen. Not everyone is as understanding as I am, expecially when the press continually tell us how much the politicians pay themselves and how much they claim for expenses.
What is the reason that Americans have to sort out there own taxes? Ours is taken out of wages before we even get paid them, so there is little for us to do other than check that they have taken the correct amount. Seems like paying it at the end of the year just opens up the oppurtunity to spend it on other things and get into a finacial mess.
Re: Taxes
I'm ok with paying taxes. at least the concept.
I'm ok with putting into a fund for education, I don't want to live in a country filled with idiots who turn to weapons and violence to get along (yeah I know, but I can dream)
I also don't want to live in a country where poor homeless people shit/piss/die in the streets with rotting garbage everywhere even if I only drive by it in a Mercedes.
I like nice roads and general infrastructure that generally works well.
ideally, all people are created equally but we all arn't born into equal circumstances. I don't feel that someone born into a poor family should be denied equal education and basic health care.
I don't like giving money to deadbeats and junkies either but I'd rather that than have zombie like junkies walking the streets everywhere and also prefer there be help for people who've hit hard times. even if some people cheat the system (which I know happens) I feel it's better to have a safety net. even if 10% (or whatever) of the funds go to cheaters it's better than having no net for those who need it.
I know plenty of my tax money is wasted. I don't like it. but in concept it's a good idea. there will always be a % of people who cheat.
I have mind deducted. my employer takes out some each check and keeps it in an account and pays it quarterly. I have a little more taken out then necessary and at the end of the year I get a refund of the overpaid amount (this year it was about $1300)
personally I wish our country would put ALOT more int public transportation.
I'm ok with putting into a fund for education, I don't want to live in a country filled with idiots who turn to weapons and violence to get along (yeah I know, but I can dream)
I also don't want to live in a country where poor homeless people shit/piss/die in the streets with rotting garbage everywhere even if I only drive by it in a Mercedes.
I like nice roads and general infrastructure that generally works well.
ideally, all people are created equally but we all arn't born into equal circumstances. I don't feel that someone born into a poor family should be denied equal education and basic health care.
I don't like giving money to deadbeats and junkies either but I'd rather that than have zombie like junkies walking the streets everywhere and also prefer there be help for people who've hit hard times. even if some people cheat the system (which I know happens) I feel it's better to have a safety net. even if 10% (or whatever) of the funds go to cheaters it's better than having no net for those who need it.
I know plenty of my tax money is wasted. I don't like it. but in concept it's a good idea. there will always be a % of people who cheat.
curly paul, we have an option to pay at the end of the year OR have them taken out as you go. usually employees have them taken out check by check. but people who own businesses have a much more complicated income. so their situation is more complicated.What is the reason that Americans have to sort out there own taxes? Ours is taken out of wages before we even get paid them, so there is little for us to do other than check that they have taken the correct amount. Seems like paying it at the end of the year just opens up the opportunity to spend it on other things and get into a financial mess.
I have mind deducted. my employer takes out some each check and keeps it in an account and pays it quarterly. I have a little more taken out then necessary and at the end of the year I get a refund of the overpaid amount (this year it was about $1300)
personally I wish our country would put ALOT more int public transportation.
Ocelot, did it again...sorry Boss !
Re: Taxes
One thing alot of people tend to ignore is that most poor people actual do work full time jobs providing services. Its not like they are sitting around just refusing to work and that is why they are poor. Poor people work the jobs that allow this country to function.
Re: Taxes
@Ack
it doesn't swing anything in my favour
if you want to talk GDP per capita, that is if you split the money the country makes for each person in the population
USA ranks #3 , we rank #22!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_co ... per_capita
so it is always in your favour any way you look at it.
Plus, don't get fooled, my country has magic powers to make it look better than it is in the media.
As far as banking goes, yes they score big, but I also understand it is just a Madoff scheme.
It is also magic power that they made you think there are race way"S" . There is just ONE Formula circuit, no other place you can race legally . It is used like 3 days a year for the vent , other wise it is basically crap if you ask me.
AND I never knew publishing was big here. Actually I hardly anything worth reading published here other than the daily newspaper. All magazines/books I read are printed outside unless it concerns my country directly.
Did they mention that in a country where I can take you from the first residential area in the south to the last residential area in the north in 30-40 min max. there are oil-burning electricity factories that produces poisonous yellow smoke daily and we have like one of the largest aluminum factories living with us too, which makes cancer rate so high here! How about that for tourism?
Did they mention that we are an island with no beach?(honest to god)
but we don't pay taxes
it doesn't swing anything in my favour
if you want to talk GDP per capita, that is if you split the money the country makes for each person in the population
USA ranks #3 , we rank #22!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_co ... per_capita
so it is always in your favour any way you look at it.
Plus, don't get fooled, my country has magic powers to make it look better than it is in the media.
As far as banking goes, yes they score big, but I also understand it is just a Madoff scheme.
It is also magic power that they made you think there are race way"S" . There is just ONE Formula circuit, no other place you can race legally . It is used like 3 days a year for the vent , other wise it is basically crap if you ask me.
AND I never knew publishing was big here. Actually I hardly anything worth reading published here other than the daily newspaper. All magazines/books I read are printed outside unless it concerns my country directly.
Did they mention that in a country where I can take you from the first residential area in the south to the last residential area in the north in 30-40 min max. there are oil-burning electricity factories that produces poisonous yellow smoke daily and we have like one of the largest aluminum factories living with us too, which makes cancer rate so high here! How about that for tourism?
Did they mention that we are an island with no beach?(honest to god)
but we don't pay taxes