Since America needs money, levying a VAT tax might not be so far fetched. I have heard talks off and on on this subject. I believe it is only a matter of time before the US will institute a VAT tax. Hopefully later than sooner.....
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Since America needs money, levying a VAT tax might not be so far fetched. I have heard talks off and on on this subject. I believe it is only a matter of time before the US will institute a VAT tax. Hopefully later than sooner.....
[QUOTE=LL_Travelfan;50029]Since America needs money, levying a VAT tax might not be so far fetched. I have heard talks off and on on this subject. I believe it is only a matter of time before the US will institute a VAT tax. Hopefully later than sooner.....[/]
HOGWASH!!!
The US doesn't need money; the US needs to stop spending money it doesn't have. A VAT would be tantamount to putting a bandaid on gushing femoral artery. We see how well it works in Europe.
[QUOTE=kyshel;50037]Too bad there is not a "Like Very Very Much" button!Quote:
Originally Posted by LL_Travelfan
[QUOTE=kyshel;50037]HOGWASH on an US VAT. Maybe....Fully agree with you that the US needs to stop spending money it doesn't have. Tell that to the politicians! We are rebuilding everybody else's roads, schools, hospitals, etc. instead of our one.Quote:
Originally Posted by LL_Travelfan
Europe has had the VAT now over 25 years. Although Europe spends more of the money they don't have than the US does, just look at the mess many European countries are in.
[QUOTE=LL_Travelfan;50072]The biggest difference is that most Euro-based economies fund socialist programs and yes, politicians ALL spend money--whether they have it or not. We could be on a fast-track to be in the same boat as EU countries with socialized medicine AKA ObamaCare.Quote:
Originally Posted by kyshel
And I do NOT enjoy knowing that nearly 1/4 of every purchase is VAT. 23% in Greece this week. Dinner entrees that should be $15 are $20. And the country is still a financial mess. They cheat on taxes everywhere and ti's widely accepted. Guess I would too if I had to fork over 25% of everything I charged--no wonder they have no $$$ to support their system.
We are currently in Southern Bavaria, Germany and soon move over to Austria for a week. We too find that prices have increased, and more and more stores are empty, having moved out because they no longer can make ends meet.
We spoke to one store keeper who told us he is moving out soon and is building a brand new store further down the road. His reasoning was that the rents for store keepers have increased dramatically, while the available credit is so cheap at the moment, that it makes more sense to build than to rent.
Our favorite restaurant here has increased their daily special from 5.50 Euros to 6.50 Euros, an 18% increase. The VAT is still 19.6% in Germany, which, of course, is still a sizable chunk.
I imagine Greece too is cold at the moment where you are. We have snow everywhere and temperatures that have reached -30 degrees Celcius. Hopefull, next week, it will get somewhat warmer so we can go skiing..... Our hotel in Austria just informed us that they are charging 10 Euros per person/per day to defray the heating costs that have spiked dramatically because of the severe cold.
Actually Greece was quite pleasant--t shirt w/leather jacket during the day, light fleece under jacket at night. There was a huge protest on Sat which limited sightseeing but the walking and food hit the spot. We watched some horror stories from Romania and then got a view of LHR and the cancelled 200 flights playing havoc with London air travel. Didn't effect us and we got quickly connected home using Global Entry.
At least in Europe and other socialized countries they get free or low cost healthcare for their high tax dollars - we get nothing! My healthcare costs rise much higher than inflation every year so every year, I actually make less even when I get a raise since it goes to cover the healthcare increase. I agree we (Washington and corrupt politicians) need to stop spending and giving away money to countries that never improve no matter how much US aid they get (Haiti anyone!) I am in PA and the governor just announced we are yet again in another shortfall and he has lots on the chopping block - lots of education cuts so I and probably everyone else in PA will probably see our property taxes rise yet again and who knows what else
"Renunciation of U.S. citizenship was free until July, 2010, at which time a new fee of $450 was imposed......"Quote:
We have choices....we can always leave and find another place (in our case, we have looked for several years now and haven't found a place that appears to meet out needs....at least on a permanent basis).
FREE?? Are you kidding??? NOT EVEN CLOSE TO FREE>Quote:
But, I totally agree about politicians spending OUR money. Thay actually do it with our permission via our voting them into office (or not voting at all). Haiti?? Lots more countries on our dole than a poverty stricken one with a major natural catastrophe...Let Sean Penn take care of Haiti--maybe Bradjolina can fix all of Africa along with Leonardo De Caprio, Susan Sarandon and the Hollywood Elite who get paid millions for making "films"...Oh, don;t get me started!!
I feel the same pain with health care costs and we have great coverage but I know how expensive it is...