US falls below Canada in Economic Freedom Index

[Wrath of Dagon]

http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking.aspx

 

Go figure.

Edited January 25, 2010 by Wrath of Dagon

[Enoch]

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.

[Volourn]

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

[Wrath of Dagon]

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

[Guard Dog]

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!

[Masterfade]

Isn't it ironic the top two freest economies in the world both feature an authoritarian government.

[Tigranes]

Clearly you need a dictator to get things done and actually make things free.

[Calax]

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.

[Wrath of Dagon]

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.

[Masterfade]

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).

[Wrath of Dagon]

Hong Kong government is elected http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Hong_Kong

[Humodour]

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.

[Oerwinde]

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.

[HoonDing]

Lol, Belgium is behind Botswana.

[Gorgon]

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.

[Gorgon]

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'

[Wrath of Dagon]

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.