The World's Richest Countries And Biggest Economies, In 2 Graphics

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Didn't you just celebrate the alleged lower tax burdens and supposedly lower government spending of these three European countries? Neither is the case. They all have higher tax burdens and - with the exception of Luxembourg - higher government spending than the US. So, now you want to change the subject? Okay, let's do that. The percentage of tax revenues you quote as the historical average are only federal taxes. That pst war average was indeed 18.5%. The federal tax revenue today is more in the range of 15% (not 27%) - or well below the average. Federal spending is indeed somewhat above the historical average - in the low to mid 20's (not 40%) where it historically averaged just below 20%. You know, since you are all about comparing apples to apples...

Huh? I think you lost it somewhere. Even your favorite Democratic think tank using fudged numbers disagrees with you:

Over the 40 years from 1970 through 2009, revenues averaged a little over 18 percent of GDP, and expenditures averaged nearly 21 percent of GDP.

http://www.cbpp.org/images/cms//7-28-10bud-f1.jpg

And then there is this chart, based on numbers from the TreasuryDirect.gov website:

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Huh? I think you lost it somewhere. Even your favorite Democratic think tank using fudged numbers disagrees with you:

And then there is this chart, based on numbers from the TreasuryDirect.gov website:

What's the beef? We're going to debate fractions of percentage points now? And you're going to use old charts that merely project post 2009 to make the point on now available data post 2009? Fact is that 2011 federal tax revenues per the CBO were $2.23 trillion. In 2010, that number was $2.16 trillion. US GDP was $14.5 trillion in 2010 and roughly $15 trillion in 2011. That means that in 2010 and 2011, federal taxes were 15% of GDP - a low percentage not seen since Harry Truman. They were slightly above that in 2009 but still well below the 18% or so historical average. Federal spending is above average by less than what I thought. Either way, you kept harping on a 27% tax burden and 40% government expenditure which is the tax burden and expenditure on all levels of government not just the federal government. And both are still below the percentages of the "austere" nations of Ireland and the UK. So, I guess we're doing austerity more severely than those poster children of that policy. So, what's the beef?

Edited June 5, 2012 by Mr. Big Dog

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

you kept harping on a 27% tax burden and 40% government expenditure which is the tax burden and expenditure on all levels of government not just the federal government.

And you don't see anything wrong with that?

[MyLittlePony 340]

Philippines has no money? well you can tell after being there for three weeks.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

And you don't see anything wrong with that?

It's still one hell of a lot less than what other developed nations collect and spend - even when they're under austerity. That's all I've been saying here. Seemed to me that you thought that tax burden and government spending is higher in the US than, say, the UK or Ireland. It isn't. That's all I wanted to make clear.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Philippines has no money? well you can tell after being there for three weeks.

I noticed the minute I got off the plane. Not as bad as Mexico, but close. Compared to other Pacific island nations I visited, they were doing fairly well. A little new carpet and paint, here and there, would perk the place right up. The Chinese expect to flip the place in a decade or two for a good profit.

It's still one hell of a lot less than what other developed nations collect and spend - even when they're under austerity. That's all I've been saying here. Seemed to me that you thought that tax burden and government spending is higher in the US than, say, the UK or Ireland. It isn't. That's all I wanted to make clear.

No, them European types are gluttons for punishment. My, how the mighty have fallen!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

No, them European types are gluttons for punishment. My, how the mighty have fallen!

Them Europeans are doing quite well. A few issues around the periphery but by and large, they know how to live life. Which is probably why they're living longer, healthier lives than we do over here on this side of the pond.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Them Europeans are doing quite well. A few issues around the periphery but by and large, they know how to live life. Which is probably why they're living longer, healthier lives than we do over here on this side of the pond.

Lies. All lies. What is left of the impotent European lifestyle is being displaced by the vigorous Muslim hordes.

Edited June 5, 2012 by ☼

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Lies. All lies. What is left of the impotent European lifestyle is being displaced by the vigorous Muslim hoards.

They must have played a trick on me last fall when I went over there. Or thought I went over there. They must have transported me some place else which they made just looked like ole' Germany but it really wasn't. Or I just happened to miss them Muslim hoards somehow. Which is hard to believe since they apparently are displacing the European lifestyle there. What do I know? Looked quite intact to me.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Eurabia Edited June 5, 2012 by ☼

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Eurabia

Kültürschock - More ethnic Turks are now moving out of Germany than in.

Edited June 5, 2012 by Mr. Big Dog

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Kültürschock - More ethnic Turks are now moving out of Germany than in.

Just regrouping, that's all! Of course, I don't think the Turks ever got past Austria before the Europeans negotiated terms. In another five hundred years, or so, they might make it as far as Belgium.

[MyLittlePony 340]

I noticed the minute I got off the plane. Not as bad as Mexico, but close. Compared to other Pacific island nations I visited, they were doing fairly well. A little new carpet and paint, here and there, would perk the place right up. The Chinese expect to flip the place in a decade or two for a good profit.

No, them European types are gluttons for punishment. My, how the mighty have fallen!

At least they Filipinos can speak English.

Edited June 5, 2012 by *++*

[mawilson 2,133]

UK government spending is at roughly 50% of GDP, US government spending is at 40%. In Ireland it's 42%.

Mitt wants to cap it at 20% of GDP. Makes sense to me - 100 years ago government spending accounted for less than 10%.

[mawilson 2,133]

The only country from your list with a lower tax rate is Ireland - last I checked, they're on life support.

Ireland has a higher income tax rate than the US - there are two brackets, 20% and 41%. Anything over €20-30k (depending on your status) gets taxed at 41%. It's pretty high.

You were probably thinking of Ireland's *corporate* tax rate. It is indeed lower than other European countries, and of course lower than the US which now has the higher corporate tax rate in the world.