I'm a happy camper

[spikey_richie]

haha - I'm probably the only white guy in Colton too, everyone else is mexican or well taned.

[Frederic Brillouet]

Congrats man. I'll have to wait at least 9 more years before I get a real job. But the payment will be worth the wait :D

BTW, don't complain about taxes because in Belgium it's 21%.

[Ototero]

Here it's 22% and 40%

[Frederic Brillouet]

You always have the odd ones (mostly the English )

[gamer007]

13% here in BC now. Was 14%, but the PM lowered it 1% on Canada Day (July 1st). He said he'll lower it another percent later.

[Steve Lux]

Just to clear something up about the taxes in the good ol' USA when making comparisons...

These guys were talking about State taxes. Now there are different kinds of taxes. Each state has their own sales and/or property tax and most states have their own income tax. Now, I don't know specifically which tax they were talking about (I suspect state sales tax), but the rates they mentioned are not high enough to include both.

Within each state are counties and most counties have property taxes, and most towns and cities within the counties have property taxes (double taxation anyone?). Then there is the federal income tax - which tends to be the largest tax burden for most Americans. To add to the confusion there are various "sin" taxes on tobacco products, liquor and other products. There are fuel taxes, excise taxes, federal communication taxes (internet, cable, DSL and cell phones), hotel taxes, death taxes (taxes on what someone leaves, when they leave - that they already paid taxes on no less - and more double taxation), etc. Added to this are a whole long list of nickle and dime fees, surcharges, penalties and other means to squeeze the blood out of the working citizens. Woops; don't forget Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

For most middle class working Americans, when all taxes fees and other charges from the varied sources are added they equate to 30% - 40% of the average worker's gross salary. So when George W. sends me back my check for $500 to stimulate the economy I say "Thank you very much for the tip." and go buy foreign fuel from supporters of fundementalist radical terrorists and products from communist China - to stimulate someone's economy.

[jugraham]

Just to clear something up about the taxes in the good ol' USA when making comparisons...

These guys were talking about State taxes. Now there are different kinds of taxes. Each state has their own sales and/or property tax and most states have their own income tax. Now, I don't know specifically which tax they were talking about (I suspect state sales tax), but the rates they mentioned are not high enough to include both.

Within each state are counties and most counties have property taxes, and most towns and cities within the counties have property taxes (double taxation anyone?). Then there is the federal income tax - which tends to be the largest tax burden for most Americans. To add to the confusion there are various "sin" taxes on tobacco products, liquor and other products. There are fuel taxes, excise taxes, federal communication taxes (internet, cable, DSL and cell phones), hotel taxes, death taxes (taxes on what someone leaves, when they leave - that they already paid taxes on no less - and more double taxation), etc. Added to this are a whole long list of nickle and dime fees, surcharges, penalties and other means to squeeze the blood out of the working citizens. Woops; don't forget Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

For most middle class working Americans, when all taxes fees and other charges from the varied sources are added they equate to 30% - 40% of the average worker's gross salary. So when George W. sends me back my check for $500 to stimulate the economy I say "Thank you very much for the tip." and go buy foreign fuel from supporters of fundementalist radical terrorists and products from communist China - to stimulate someone's economy.

Well said!
Don't forget the death tax if you get something when someone dies. :roll:

[jugraham]

Just to clear something up about the taxes in the good ol' USA when making comparisons...

These guys were talking about State taxes. Now there are different kinds of taxes. Each state has their own sales and/or property tax and most states have their own income tax. Now, I don't know specifically which tax they were talking about (I suspect state sales tax), but the rates they mentioned are not high enough to include both.

Within each state are counties and most counties have property taxes, and most towns and cities within the counties have property taxes (double taxation anyone?). Then there is the federal income tax - which tends to be the largest tax burden for most Americans. To add to the confusion there are various "sin" taxes on tobacco products, liquor and other products. There are fuel taxes, excise taxes, federal communication taxes (internet, cable, DSL and cell phones), hotel taxes, death taxes (taxes on what someone leaves, when they leave - that they already paid taxes on no less - and more double taxation), etc. Added to this are a whole long list of nickle and dime fees, surcharges, penalties and other means to squeeze the blood out of the working citizens. Woops; don't forget Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

For most middle class working Americans, when all taxes fees and other charges from the varied sources are added they equate to 30% - 40% of the average worker's gross salary. So when George W. sends me back my check for $500 to stimulate the economy I say "Thank you very much for the tip." and go buy foreign fuel from supporters of fundementalist radical terrorists and products from communist China - to stimulate someone's economy.

Well said!
Don't forget the death tax if you get something when someone dies. :roll:

My bad you done said death tax. :oops:

[Frederic Brillouet]

In Belgium, roughly half of your wage is taken by the Belgian state. It can be more but that depends on your wage. I'd call that stealing if you'd ask me.

[jugraham]

In Belgium, roughly half of your wage is taken by the Belgian state. It can be more but that depends on your wage. I'd call that stealing if you'd ask me.

And I thought I was getting robed! :shock: