Brexit

[j2k4]

See below, which, at a minimum, keeps a lid on things.

See also humanitarian aid and the lion's (or hog's, if you prefer) share of the cost of the most organized anti-U.S. contingent on
earth, the United Nations.

I would consider successfully functional to be based on how well your own country's (to name a few) welfare, healthcare, education, crime, laws and economy look.

How much one country spends on 'World Influence' is not what I would consider part of a successful function necessarily.

But I digress. To answer your other question, which was less aside and more front-side to the point we're discussing.

As an aside, are you guys tripping over yourselves to give immigrants driver's licenses and a vote in your affairs?

We are all immigrants and we are all natives. I think, as a race, the English are generally quite good at embracing other cultures and adapting our own. We're a multi-national, wide-ranging nation of many good and bad people from many places.

Whether they are an immigrant or not shouldn't be the point. This is capitalism. A competitive market. If a Latvian Cobbler is better at the job than our local one, give it to him. And we get better cobbles. If a German chimney sweep is faster, give him the job and fire the current one.

In this competitive market, the ideals of our glorious capitalism demand an equal opportunity for everyone to compete. That's why we love it so. Blocking foreigners from competing is unsportsmanlike at best, and xenophobic at worst.

I am open to all borders being opened everywhere and all people free to settle where they are happiest, and to compete equally with those around them.

Define open borders, then tell me why we bother to have individual countries - is it strictly because of open-market capitalism?

Those that are afraid of immigrants stealing their jobs, are probably shite at their jobs.

By and large, we're talking legal vs illegal immigrants...but under this "open borders" scenario, there would be no more illegals, and, by the way, no way to tax wages to fund your precious governments.

[Barbarossa]

Don't mind me, I'm angry at everyone and everything.

[Barbarossa]

Barbs summed it up quite perfectly. From a Londoner's point of view. I'm a Londoner.

Christmas, I didn't notice, apart from my local shop was closed when I needed it.

All the best to you and yours.

Thanks - so I should have responded to Barbs; soooo out of practice.

So, Barbie...Modern Medicine - the kind that fosters aged-ness - is a pox on the affordability of the rest of an "entitled" society?

If that is so, the government (yours or​ mine) isn't helping.

That's an excellent title for an essay question, I'm sure Shaina will be along soon enough to oblige...

My humanity says that of course modern medicine and the reduction in infant mortality is a blessing and not a curse, however by using it to prolong life it has caused a great inbalance in our society. There are too many old people, taking up too many resources.

I'm 47 now, I'll probably feel differently in 20 years. Not that there will be much left in 20 years.

[j2k4]

To this point in history, man's brilliance and American Capitalism have made pie-in-the-sky regularly.

It's apparent we need to stop socialism dead and allow Capitalism to slip the reins.


Discuss.

[IdolEyes787]

You mean the dreaded socialism of the army, the police, the fire department, public schools, public works, programs caring for the less fortunate and evil stuff like that?

I dunno, I'll have to check and see if I have a brown shirt first.

[Caballero]

I am always laughing when I hear something along the lines of "We need to stop socialism."

Any tax system is by definition a redistribution of wealth from the haves to the have-nots. We're already living the socialist dream.

Of course you could just get rid of taxes. The great state of Kansas should be able to provide a glimpse of what that would mean in the long-run.

[j2k4]

We in America are overtaxed to begin with - the more urban the area the worse it is.

You seem to think there is not the least difference between 'some' taxes and confiscatory taxes.

How much tax do you pay?

How much more would you like to pay?

[Caballero]

I'm not paying enough. And in return I am getting shitty service from my government that worth even less.

24 cents/gallon federal fuel tax that has not been adjusted since the 70s? That's a joke. Double it and build some decent roads.

Jack my taxes up 5% and give me universal healthcare and free college education at state schools; the money I don't have to spend on private insurance and tuition makes more than up for it.

Start a .5% city tax and hire a few more police and firemen.

Etc.

You don't get shit for free. And if society overall does well, usually each individual will do better, too. It's certainly more likely than the other way around.

Oh, and please don't confuse nominal and effective tax rates. With all the deductions, exemptions and loopholes out there our effective tax rates are a joke.

[IdolEyes787]

You could start here.

https://www.businessinsider.com/amer...th-gap-2019-10

Also it's been said that not giving so much to the military could solve a lot of your more idiotic problems though sadly not the orange one.

[IdolEyes787]

If none of that works then maybe try sacrificing Barr to Mammon.