Cruisers yacht stuck on Gulfport beach in 4 feet of sand

[foolishsailor]

Actually Social Democracies or "nordic socialism" generate the highest per captia wealth in the world. They also generate the highest quality of life, lowest unemployment, longest lifespans, and healthiest populations.

See: Denmark, sweden, norway etc...

All that in places most of us would consider the weather to shitty to live in...

What unregulated capitalism, which is what exists in the US creates is a small percentage of people with extreme wealth.

The US has the largest gap between classes in the western world.

[Bruce626]

Originally Posted by foolishsailor

Actually Social Democracies or "nordic socialism" generate the highest per captia wealth in the world. They also generate the highest quality of life, lowest unemployment, longest lifespans, and healthiest populations.

See: Denmark, sweden, norway etc...

All that in places most of us would consider the weather to shitty to live in...

What unregulated capitalism, which is what exists in the US creates is a small percentage of people with extreme wealth.

The US has the largest gap between classes in the western world.

Cherry picking a few small relatively well off, long established, countries with homogenous populations, high education, and small minority underclasses does not mean that this model can or will work anywhere else. If I recall correctly they are all monarchies as well - but likely no one really thinks that this is a good model either.

Typically never mentioned is that the wealthy people in the USA pay most of the taxes that keep the government running and provide transfer payments to those at the bottom. These transfer payments like food stamps, the earned income tax payments, free medical care, free schooling, and other kinds of help (especially 'in kind' help) are not typically counted when averaging incomes for the purposes of proving how bad the USA is. The principal in this case 'Jay' is apparently being supported by just such a transfer payment ($800/mo, perhaps from Social security?). He nevertheless 'has' a yacht, a large dog to support, and apparently eats well (steak being mentioned). The fact that he does not have a large income is apparently not impacting his chosen lifestyle that much. Which is not to say that more money would not improve things - but for someone with 'nothing' he seems to be doing OK.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Bruce626

Cherry picking a few small relatively well off, long established, countries with homogenous populations, high education, and small minority underclasses does not mean that this model can or will work anywhere else.

Yes Foolishsailor...please don't confuse us with the facts...

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Bruce626

Cherry picking a few small relatively well off, long established, countries with homogenous populations, high education, and small minority underclasses does not mean that this model can or will work anywhere else. If I recall correctly they are all monarchies as well - but likely no one really thinks that this is a good model either.

Typically never mentioned is that the wealthy people in the USA pay most of the taxes that keep the government running and provide transfer payments to those at the bottom. These transfer payments like food stamps, the earned income tax payments, free medical care, free schooling, and other kinds of help (especially 'in kind' help) are not typically counted when averaging incomes for the purposes of proving how bad the USA is. The principal in this case 'Jay' is apparently being supported by just such a transfer payment ($800/mo, perhaps from Social security?). He nevertheless 'has' a yacht, a large dog to support, and apparently eats well (steak being mentioned). The fact that he does not have a large income is apparently not impacting his chosen lifestyle that much. Which is not to say that more money would not improve things - but for someone with 'nothing' he seems to be doing OK.

Actually Bruce, what FS wrote, and what you quoted, is a collection of facts -- real data which anyone can confirm. In fact, FS's list could easily be extended. There are currently 13 countries which have higher per-capita income (gross domestic product per capita). And on the other measures mentioned by FS: quality of life, lowest unemployment, longest lifespans, and healthiest populations; the US scores even worse as compared to virtually every developed nation.

Your point about the wealthy paying most of the US taxes is also true, but you fail to mention that this is b/c the wealthy now take in most of the wealth and income generated in your country. The reality is, the wealthy in both our countries are now paying, proportionally, a much smaller share of taxes than anytime in the past 50 years.

I add this comment with trepidation b/c of the off-tangent nature of the post. But it is hard to stay quiet when myth is promulgated as fact.

[Bruce626]

Mike OReilly wrote "what FS wrote, and what you quoted, is a collection of facts -- real data which anyone can confirm." ==> OK

"Your point about the wealthy paying most of the US taxes is also true" ==> OK

"it is hard to stay quiet when myth is promulgated as fact." ==> Curious, since they were acknowledged as facts a moment ago.

[foggysail]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

The reality is, the wealthy in both our countries are now paying, proportionally, a much smaller share of taxes than anytime in the past 50 years.

Just what does that mean????? Share??? Fairness??? To each according to his needs, from each according to his means???

Is that what you mean?? And I happen to be at the bottom of the income scale so do not think I am trying to justify/defend the income taxes I pay.

Foggy!