Salon interviews the late Adam Smith

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Huge parts of Asia are.

Yes, so is most of Africa. Don't think the VAT is to blame.

No but commies are. Commies like the same commies who like the VAT. Coincidence? Of course it is!

I don't know. These "commies" developed strong and wealthy economies in Western Europe after WWII - and the VAT didn't exactly hamper that.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

hese "commies" developed strong and wealthy economies in Western Europe after WWII

With a huge welfare check from Uncle Sam. Buncha freeloaders.

[mRx 16]

Some argue that the adoption of a VAT in the U.S. could level the playing field.

If Europe and Asia want to impoverish their citizens by imposing additional costs to consumer goods, there is no need for the US to follow such a ridiculous policy.

We don't need equality in poverty--That's what a VAT in the US would give us.

Oh what a load of #######! Europe and Asia are impoverished now? Are you fcuking kidding me?

If you must pay more money for something, then logically, you must have less money left over. You are made poorer by the VAT, (i.e. impoverished).

This concept is quite simple.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

hese "commies" developed strong and wealthy economies in Western Europe after WWII

With a huge welfare check from Uncle Sam. Buncha freeloaders.

Nah, not really. Germany, for example, just got paid for all the scientists that the US took to work on jets, rockets and nuclear issues. You think the US would have put a man on the moon without that German engineering? Go to the NASA sights and take a look - it's all German names there. I think we actually got shortchanged by Uncle Sam.

Edited October 7, 2009 by Mr. Big Dog

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It's okay. Jesus talked to me Sunday.

It's not ok. If Jesus talks to you, you should consider checking yourself into a mental health facility.

You mean Jesus does not talk to you? How sad. Have you visited him lately? He loves you, you know.

Some argue that the adoption of a VAT in the U.S. could level the playing field.

If Europe and Asia want to impoverish their citizens by imposing additional costs to consumer goods, there is no need for the US to follow such a ridiculous policy.

We don't need equality in poverty--That's what a VAT in the US would give us.

Oh what a load of #######! Europe and Asia are impoverished now? Are you fcuking kidding me?

No, but they are pushing 50% marginal tax rates.

Edited October 7, 2009 by Lone Ranger

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Some argue that the adoption of a VAT in the U.S. could level the playing field.

If Europe and Asia want to impoverish their citizens by imposing additional costs to consumer goods, there is no need for the US to follow such a ridiculous policy.

We don't need equality in poverty--That's what a VAT in the US would give us.

Oh what a load of #######! Europe and Asia are impoverished now? Are you fcuking kidding me?

No, but they are pushing 50% marginal tax rates.

???

[mawilson 2,133]

Some argue that the adoption of a VAT in the U.S. could level the playing field.

If Europe and Asia want to impoverish their citizens by imposing additional costs to consumer goods, there is no need for the US to follow such a ridiculous policy.

We don't need equality in poverty--That's what a VAT in the US would give us.

Well Matt, I'm sure you agree that the deficits must be paid for somehow. Whether it's a

federal VAT or a higher income tax, we will all have to pay for it with a lower standard

of living in this country.

If the alternative is inflation (paying back the debt with cheaper dollars), I'd rather have

higher taxes.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Some argue that the adoption of a VAT in the U.S. could level the playing field.

If Europe and Asia want to impoverish their citizens by imposing additional costs to consumer goods, there is no need for the US to follow such a ridiculous policy.

We don't need equality in poverty--That's what a VAT in the US would give us.

Oh what a load of #######! Europe and Asia are impoverished now? Are you fcuking kidding me?

No, but they are pushing 50% marginal tax rates.

???

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/tax_hig_...rate-individual

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Some argue that the adoption of a VAT in the U.S. could level the playing field.

If Europe and Asia want to impoverish their citizens by imposing additional costs to consumer goods, there is no need for the US to follow such a ridiculous policy.

We don't need equality in poverty--That's what a VAT in the US would give us.

Oh what a load of #######! Europe and Asia are impoverished now? Are you fcuking kidding me?

No, but they are pushing 50% marginal tax rates.

???

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/tax_hig_...rate-individual

And that shows that the VAT pushed them into poverty or that they even are impoverished?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Some argue that the adoption of a VAT in the U.S. could level the playing field.

If Europe and Asia want to impoverish their citizens by imposing additional costs to consumer goods, there is no need for the US to follow such a ridiculous policy.

We don't need equality in poverty--That's what a VAT in the US would give us.

Oh what a load of #######! Europe and Asia are impoverished now? Are you fcuking kidding me?

No, but they are pushing 50% marginal tax rates.

???

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/tax_hig_...rate-individual

And that shows that the VAT pushed them into poverty or that they even are impoverished?

No. Nothing to do with the VAT, actually. But it is just another incentive for those that can to take their wealth somewhere else, to say, Mexico, to do so. One of California's problems is that they have pushed the wealthier taxpayers out of California into the neighboring states, like Nevada. I imagine Virgina looks pretty nice to some of the residents of neighboring states as well.

Edited October 7, 2009 by Lone Ranger