Wrath of Dagon Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 (edited) http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking.aspx Go figure. Edited January 25, 2010 by Wrath of Dagon "Moral indignation is a standard strategy for endowing the idiot with dignity." Marshall McLuhan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoch Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking.aspx Go figure. There is some... odd... methodology there, like considering only the highest marginal tax rates (as opposed something else that's more representative, like median rates), and defining "government freedom" as essentially the inverse of government expenditures. In the latter case, the U.S.'s defense budget is probably what holds it back more than anything-- American military spending essentially subsidizes defense for much of the rest of the developed world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volourn Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 (edited) What's this thread trying to prove? The difference between the two countries is minimal at best. Seriously, is there some major thing I'm missing that being ranked 8th instead of 7th is some sort of major sin? WOW. Edited January 25, 2010 by Volourn DWARVES IN PROJECT ETERNITY = VOLOURN HAS PLEDGED $250. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrath of Dagon Posted January 25, 2010 Author Share Posted January 25, 2010 (edited) What's this thread trying to prove? The difference between the twom countries is minimal at best. Seriosuly, is there some major thing I'm missing that being ranked 8th instead of 7th is some sort of major sin? WOW. We're always thinking of you guys as socialists. There is some... odd... methodology there, like considering only the highest marginal tax rates (as opposed something else that's more representative, like median rates), and defining "government freedom" as essentially the inverse of government expenditures. In the latter case, the U.S.'s defense budget is probably what holds it back more than anything-- American military spending essentially subsidizes defense for much of the rest of the developed world. It's a conservative outfit, so they consider marginal rates the most problematic as it discourages enterpreneurship (the point of diminishing returns). And they do consider the overall tax revenue as percentage of GDP. Government freedom - I'm not sure where you see that. You mean government spending? That should be included, whether the spending is justified or not, it hurts our economy, defense spending does too, even if it's necessary. Edited January 25, 2010 by Wrath of Dagon "Moral indignation is a standard strategy for endowing the idiot with dignity." Marshall McLuhan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guard Dog Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 It's an Obamanation! So, Canada is getting uppity again huh? Well, looks like we might just have to take away another one of you hockey teams! "While it is true you learn with age, the down side is what you often learn is what a damn fool you were before" Thomas Sowell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masterfade Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Isn't it ironic the top two freest economies in the world both feature an authoritarian government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigranes Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Clearly you need a dictator to get things done and actually make things free. Let's Play: Icewind Dale Ironman (Complete) Let's Play: Icewind Dale II Ironman (Complete) Let's Play: Divinity II (Complete) Let's Play: Baldur's Gate Trilogy Ironman - BG1 (Complete) Let's Play: Baldur's Gate Trilogy Ironman - BG2 (In Progress) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calax Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking.aspx Go figure. There is some... odd... methodology there, like considering only the highest marginal tax rates (as opposed something else that's more representative, like median rates), and defining "government freedom" as essentially the inverse of government expenditures. In the latter case, the U.S.'s defense budget is probably what holds it back more than anything-- American military spending essentially subsidizes defense for much of the rest of the developed world. I find it interesting that the US basically holds up two industries all on its own (healthcare and Defense). Particularly spending something like 45% of all the money used for defensive purposes in the world. Victor of the 5 year fan fic competition! Kevin Butler will awesome your face off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrath of Dagon Posted January 26, 2010 Author Share Posted January 26, 2010 Isn't it ironic the top two freest economies in the world both feature an authoritarian government. They're both mostly democratic. They're both former British colonies, so they still have the British way of doing things, except for all the socialism. Actually everyone in the top eight except Switzerland is a former British colony or possession. "Moral indignation is a standard strategy for endowing the idiot with dignity." Marshall McLuhan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masterfade Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 They're both mostly democratic. They're both former British colonies, so they still have the British way of doing things, except for all the socialism. Actually everyone in the top eight except Switzerland is a former British colony or possession. Having a certain degree of residual Britishness hardly makes countries 'mostly democratic' when they're ran by either an unelected government (Hong Kong) or a government with so much control over the electoral process that's deemed not free by most international observers (Singapore). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrath of Dagon Posted January 26, 2010 Author Share Posted January 26, 2010 Hong Kong government is elected http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Hong_Kong "Moral indignation is a standard strategy for endowing the idiot with dignity." Marshall McLuhan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humodour Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 In the latter case, the U.S.'s defense budget is probably what holds it back more than anything-- American military spending essentially subsidizes defense for much of the rest of the developed world. It would be good if Australia could still rely on that. As long as we stay above New Zealand all is right in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oerwinde Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 So the US has higher taxes than Canada, and no national health care system, yet has like a trillion dollar deficit. Seriously, close some overseas bases and bring some of the 200+k soldiers home. Pretty sure Germany doesn't need a babysitter anymore. The area between the balls and the butt is a hotbed of terrorist activity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoonDing Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Lol, Belgium is behind Botswana. The ending of the words is ALMSIVI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgon Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 So I assume things like high taxation and government controlled forced retirement plans are a negative factor. That being the case I'm surprise we (Denmar) rank so high. Na na na na na na ... greg358 from Darksouls 3 PVP is a CHEATER. That is all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgon Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Forced retirement plans as in, they take a percentage off your wages and invest it for you, not as in 'youre fired, here's your retirement money' Na na na na na na ... greg358 from Darksouls 3 PVP is a CHEATER. That is all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrath of Dagon Posted January 26, 2010 Author Share Posted January 26, 2010 You can click on Denmark and see where it's ranked high. The main reason is all developed countries do similar things. As far as US taxes being higher than Canada's, I don't see any evidence of that. "Moral indignation is a standard strategy for endowing the idiot with dignity." Marshall McLuhan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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