| Author |
Message |
Randall (Randall)
Member
Username: Randall
Post Number: 483
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 9:10 pm: | |
That's why I've always been a big fan of physical punishments, maybe something like caning. It affects rich and poor the same. |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 1091
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 11:36 am: | |
>>>as best i can tell all of taxation in scandinavia is fairly suspect.
Why is it suspect?
>>>they basically tell me that as soon as you make real money, you just leave the country and move somewhere else on the continent.
True. So much for patriotism... I remember the big discussion in the mid 1970's when ABBA hit the big money and they elected to remain Swedish citizens and pay the HUGE taxes. Everybody officially declared them NUTS!
That's why it's suspect. You do not want your highest net-worth individuals leaving the tax base. That's just patently insane. It means that the non-high-net-worth people have to pay even higher taxes - which of course fuels the desire to leave as some of those people become successful. It's a nasty loop.
Never mind the fact that these high-net-worth individuals have a way of creating value in general for the economy (new companies, new jobs, etc. etc.) over and over again.
Long term, you don't want these people to leave - at worst they're a "necessary evil", at best they're an important part of driving the private sector forward.
Look at the statistics on new company creation in Skandinavia. Look at the venture capital statistics (nearly nil). Etcetera etcetera.
Just to be clear - I think they are great countries. I enjoy visiting. I enjoy the people. They have stupendous and impressive cultures. They're clearly relatively well-run governments.
I just find it positively mind-blowing to imagine a system where you effectively "dictate" that your most successful people leave the country to (more than likely) go be successful elsewhere for some other economy and not your own.
Doody. |
Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Member
Username: Ferraristuff
Post Number: 666
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 10:17 am: | |
Doody,
>>>so if you're unemployed you can flaunt the laws all you like?
Nope, same principle still applies... you pay based on your income so would this guy have been unemployed, he would have to pay 14 days worth of welfare (they DO have good social security in Scand.).
>>>i'm sure there's probably some "floor" to the fine, but it's just an unreasonable system.
There probably is. I don't know all the ins and outs but it sounds fair to me. Rules are strickt over there. Break the rules, you pay. HEAVILY!
>>>as best i can tell all of taxation in scandinavia is fairly suspect.
Why is it suspect?
>>>they basically tell me that as soon as you make real money, you just leave the country and move somewhere else on the continent.
True. So much for patriotism... I remember the big discussion in the mid 1970's when ABBA hit the big money and they elected to remain Swedish citizens and pay the HUGE taxes. Everybody officially declared them NUTS!
Hahahahaha !
Jack |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 1090
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 8:30 am: | |
so if you're unemployed you can flaunt the laws all you like?
i'm sure there's probably some "floor" to the fine, but it's just an unreasonable system.
as best i can tell all of taxation in scandinavia is fairly suspect. form discussions with colleagues in norway, they basically tell me that as soon as you make real money, you just leave the country and move somewhere else on the continent. that it's not really feasible to stay once you're well-off. seems awfully out of whack to me.
doody. |
Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member
Username: Bahiaau
Post Number: 734
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 7:30 am: | |
That is crazy. |
Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Member
Username: Ferraristuff
Post Number: 663
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 7:16 am: | |
Hi Doody,
in Finland fines are indeed related to your income.
This to prevent people with deep pockets from laughing at a fine while "poor" people have to suffer hard for the same offense.
Not a bad system by itself although speeding laws are VERY tough all over Scandinavia.
Don't forget that this guy apparently made some $ 2,600,000 and that the fine was based on that so it's not too bad... ;-)
Possesion of radar detectors is also prohibited in Finland and I have seen people tossing them out of the window when they were being pulled over by the police...
Fine for RD seem to be higher than for speeding...
Jack |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 1088
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 6:43 am: | |
I don't know how you guys permit these sorts of penalties to remain on your books!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3044539.stm
Anssi Vanjoki, 44, was ordered to pay a fine of 116,000 euros (US$103,600; equal to 14 days of his income in 1999) after being caught breaking the speed limit on his Harley Davidson motorbike in the Finnish capital, Helsinki.
Police said he was driving at 75 km/h (47 mph) in a 50km/h (31 mph) zone.
A six-figure fine for doing 47 in a 31 zone? Too bad he can't appeal that to an international tribunal or something.
doody.
|