The Selfishness of the USA

[Lvivske]

As a Canadian with a fan-****in-tastic health care system up here, I really don't see why Americans are *****ing so much

Is your health care obama plan really that much worse than our set up?

[johamatt]

The health bill has nothing to do with communism or socialism. It is common sense that everybody should have a health insurance. Further, If there is a connection to capitalism and health care it is a positive one. If common people don't have to worry about not getting sick the are more positive to work harder and willing to move to better jobs. Look at Sweden. We have public health and public health insurance and we are a prosperous country.

Congrats US for a good decision.

[Ukrcossack]

Hi, Johamatt. I know that the taxes need to be high when you are implementing policies where everyone is protected at least at the basic level. But what is the tax rate in Sweden and how is it spread between various income groups? I think any system of support in health care for the poorer people is excellent since it is usually very expensive and if you charge everyone reasonably, it can perfectly work.

[stepanstas]

Originally Posted by johamatt

The health bill has nothing to do with communism or socialism. It is common sense that everybody should have a health insurance. Further, If there is a connection to capitalism and health care it is a positive one. If common people don't have to worry about not getting sick the are more positive to work harder and willing to move to better jobs. Look at Sweden. We have public health and public health insurance and we are a prosperous country.

johamatt, the funny thing is, that it is.

What you have stated exactly speaks for both of those ideologies. I don't think its common sense that everyone should have something. Should everyone have a house, car, a child? No. Can everyone get a house, car, etc? Yes. Can everyone get insurance? Yes.

And because you have insurance, does not mean you don't have to worry about getting sick. You can still get sick. What this may cause is more people being careless. Because they'll just go to the doctor if anything happens.

"Work harder and move to better jobs." Don't like the sound of that.

Is anyone here talking about what this does to the average person? If I still recall correctly, I don't know if they changed it yet. I will have to get insurance. If I choose not to, I will be fined. I am young. I don't remember the last time I went to a doctor. Seriously, I think the last time I saw a nurse was in High School and that was due to mandates for school. Now, I have 2 options? Get insurance or pay a fine? That is capitalism? No sir.

[stepanstas]

Yup. I was still correct.

Obama to Sign Health Care Bill Today as GOP Challenges Constitutionality

Under the health care bill, by 2014 most Americans would be required to have health insurance or pay a fine, with the exception of low-income Americans. Employers would also be required to provide coverage to their workers, or pay a fine of $2,000 per worker. Companies with fewer than 50 employees, however, are exempt from this rule.

[johamatt]

Income tax in Sweden consists mainly of local income taxes and state income tax. The municipal income tax is essentially proportional, while the state income tax has progressive elements, ie the rate increases with increasing income.

The income tax is essentially like withholding tax, which means that it is deducted from the taxpayer's income before it is paid by the employer, who pays tax to the Tax Board.

For each category of income is estimated to represent a net income less deductible expenses. Net income from employment and business law will be added together and taxed at the municipal and state income tax,

In Sweden there are three income levels, the income exceeds a certain threshold are subject to additional tax. The lower boundary layer is 328 800 SEK. For income over this limit is the state income tax by 20 percent. The upper boundary layer is 495 000 SEK. For income over this limit state income tax taken out by another 5 percent that is 25 percent.

Average income tax is about 30 percent. I would say that most people pay municipality income tax. Up to 54000 USD there is no state income tax. Only 20 percent of all tax payers pay state income tax. This link gives you distribution of tax payers table three is interesting. http://www.ratio.se/pdf/wp/gdr_skatter.pdf Unfortunately it is in Swedish.

I have no problems with "giving away" some 28 % of my income to services of common interests such as infrastructure, health service day care elderly care, various social insurances because it is good for everybody.

[Hannia]

Stepan,

I agree that you should not be forced to buy health insurance, however I do think that in not agreeing to do so, you should be made to sign a legal waiver.

If you get sick, you're on your own, and will be excluded from any govt medicaid whatsoever. If you can't pay for medical treatment, that is your own problem. If you get so sick that you die, too bad. The world is overpopulated as is.

I think that is only fair.