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A new report released by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) shows that happiness levels are highest in northern European countries. Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands rated at the top of the list, ranking first, second and third, respectively.
Why did the northern European countries come out looking so good? Overall economic health played a powerful role, says Simon Chapple, senior economist from the Social Policy Division of the OECD, which put together the report.
These nations rate the highest in 11 factors that contribute to a high quality of life, including income, education, housing, health, safety and life satisfaction.
I never quite understand how this works. Much of the economic prosperity there is from off-shore oil drilling. Those here who seem to argue for a similar system for the U.S. will tell us how evil something like off-shore oil drilling is.
I never quite understand how this works. Much of the economic prosperity there is from off-shore oil drilling. Those here who seem to argue for a similar system for the U.S. will tell us how evil something like off-shore oil drilling is.
How does this work?
Wouldn't know because I can't speak for others,but I imagine a very strong possibility is because Americans know without a doubt that the oil industry here are pimps for American politicians,maybe that is not the case in those better governments?
Wouldn't know because I can't speak for others,but I imagine a very strong possibility is because Americans know without a doubt that the oil industry here are pimps for American politicians,maybe that is not the case in those better governments?
A new report released by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) shows that happiness levels are highest in northern European countries. Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands rated at the top of the list, ranking first, second and third, respectively.
Why did the northern European countries come out looking so good? Overall economic health played a powerful role, says Simon Chapple, senior economist from the Social Policy Division of the OECD, which put together the report.
These nations rate the highest in 11 factors that contribute to a high quality of life, including income, education, housing, health, safety and life satisfaction.
A new report released by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) shows that happiness levels are highest in northern European countries. Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands rated at the top of the list, ranking first, second and third, respectively.
Hmmm... Those are the countries that have highly regressive tax systems. You know, the tax systems in which the high income earners pay lower tax rates than the lower and middle income earners. Read the tax progressivity chart, here:
Actually, I think you may be on to something... Let's flip the U.S. tax system to regressive, have the lower and middle income earners pay a higher tax rate, and we can be a happy country, too.
Hmmm... Those are the countries that have highly regressive tax systems. You know, the tax systems in which the high income earners pay lower tax rates than the lower and middle income earners. Read the tax progressivity chart, here:
Actually, I think you may be on to something... Let's flip the U.S. tax system to regressive, have the lower and middle income earners pay a higher tax rate, and we can be a happy country, too.
You can put your 'spin' on the Washington Post article all you want,thanks for including it BTW,because anyone who looks at the chart and actually READS the article will see how much better those countrie's regressive tax system is.... and no wonder the people are happier since it is more evenly distributed and spent to help the citizens!
"Everyone knows that Europe's welfare states are much more progressive than the United States', in that they reduce inequality by a much greater percent. Among OECD members, only Iceland, Turkey, South Korea, Chile and Mexico have less progressive overall systems:
The United States has by far the most progressive income, payroll, wealth and property taxes of any developed country. Scandinavian social democracies like Denmark, Sweden and Norway have quite regressive direct taxes, as do the Netherlands and Switzerland. Foreign British territories are more progressive, but neither Australia nor Canada is nearly as progressive as the United States.
Basically, all of the progressivity of our fellow developed nations' welfare states comes on the spending side. They spend a whole lot more on transfer programs, education and health services, and other initiatives that are redistributive in impact. We, by contrast, tax progressively, and then spread the money around in a less progressive fashion."
You can put your 'spin' on the Washington Post article all you want,thanks for including it BTW, because anyone who looks at the chart and actually READS the article will see how much better those countrie's regressive tax system is and no wonder the people are happier since it is more evenly distributed and spent to help the citizens!
So, you agree that lower and middle income earners should pay higher total tax rates than high income earners?
Quote:
"Everyone knows that Europe's welfare states are much more progressive than the United States', in that they reduce inequality by a much greater percent.
Exactly. But make sure you understand that the way they accomplish that is by charging lower and middle income earners higher total tax rates than the high income earners pay.
The question we should be asking is... are lower and middle income earners in the U.S. willing to disproportionately pay the costs of the social benefits they want?
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