Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The money is yours. What you are 'billed' for are the services you receive .
Any debts you incurred, like a mortgage or internet access, are strictly voluntary. Don't assume one and that money is still yours
Whether or not you feel like you've being overbilled/over charged via taxes, although not a simple thing, you have the right to protest and make changes by making sure you vote for people that represent you.....or run for office yourself.
Pooled money, as our taxes are, is like insurance. It pays for some things some people want and some thing they don't but if left to do it on your own probably would cost you more or be totally unobtainable to the average citizen
Monaco (you've heard of it, on the Cote D'Azure, does have sales tax)
Caymans (no tax across the board)
Bermuda (no tax, but some property taxes)
Bahamas (sales tax)
Anguilla (no tax across the board)
St Kitts and Nevis (no tax across the board)
Sark (may be a property tax, not sure off the top of my head)
Oman (Corp tax)
Bahrain (sales tax)
Qatar (Corp tax)
Kuwait (no tax across the board)
Brunei (Corp tax)
UAE (sales tax)
British Virgin Islands (no tax across the board)
Saudi (if you're not Saudi, but living and working there)
So that's 5 modern societies, unless you're looking at Portugal as not being a modern society, because the Caymans, Brunei, BVI, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait have higher UNHDI than Portugal. Indeed the Caymans, Bermuda and BVI have higher UNHDI than Norway (but are not represented in the UN).
Right, so, in other words, unless you are a small vacation resort or an oil rich monarchy, you need taxes. You can debate the merits of income versus sales taxes, but every modern government needs taxes.
If you do happen to be a small vacation resort, then of course you can just tax tourism. And if you are a state-run oil rich monarchy, then the state owns the oil and is good to go. Presumably everyone knows these aren't reasonable options for the US right?
Wasn't born until nearly 200 years later and don't own a DeLorean to go back in time sooooooo
You have a very interesting take on living in a modern society.
Luckily for all of us (including you), that isn't how it works. It's a special kind of irony when someones existence and prosperity depends on the very thing they go through life bitterly opposed to.
The money I earned belonged to:
Me, first.
Then, the government (income tax[state and federal], FICA, Medicare, excise taxes, etc.)
Then, the bank (home mortgage).
then to the Credit Union (vehicle loans)
then to insurance companies (mandatory vehicle insurance, health insurance, life insurance, Home owner's insurance, etc.)
Oh, wait, come to think of it, the actual order would be me last, the other four first!
Now that I am retired, my Social Security and Military Retirement (DFAS) belongs to:
The government (taxes, Medicare, Tricare, Survivor Benefit Plan, real estate taxes, etc.)
the bank (Home Mortgage)
The insurance companies (home insurance, vehicle insurance, both are mandatory)
the credit union (vehicle payments)
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
