United Kingdom
Income Tax: 50%
VAT: 17.5% TOTAL: 67.5%


France
Income Tax: 40%
VAT: 19.6% TOTAL: 59.6%


Greece
Income Tax: 40%
VAT: 25% TOTAL: 65%


Spain
Income Tax: 45%
VAT: 16% TOTAL: 61%


Portugal
Income Tax: 42%
VAT: 20% TOTAL: 62%


Sweden
Income Tax: 55%
VAT: 25% TOTAL: 80%


Norway
Income Tax: 54.3%
VAT: 25% TOTAL: 79.3%


Netherlands
Income Tax: 52%
VAT: 19% TOTAL: 71%


Denmark
Income Tax: 58%
VAT: 25% TOTAL: 83%


Finland
Income Tax: 53%
VAT: 22% TOTAL: 75%


If you've started to wonder what the real costs of socialism are going to be once the full program in these United States hits your wallet, take a look at the table. As you digest these mind-boggling figures, keep in mind that in spite of these astronomical tax rates, these countries are still not financing their social welfare programs exclusively from tax revenues! They are deeply mired in public debt of gargantuan proportions. Greece has reached the point where its debt is so huge it is in imminent danger of defaulting. That is the reason the European economic community has intervened to bail them out. If you're following the financial news, you know Spain and Portugal are right behind Greece.

The United States is now heading right down the same path. The VAT tax in the table is the national sales tax that Europeans pay. Stay tuned because that is exactly what you can expect to see the Administration proposing after the fall elections. The initial percentage in the United States isn't going to be anywhere near the outrageous numbers you now see in Europe . Guess what, the current outrageous numbers in Europe didn't start out as outrageous either. They started out as minuscule, right around the 1% or 2%, where they will start out in the United States. Magically however, they ran up over the years to where they are now. Expect the same thing here.

It is the notion that with hard work and perseverance, anybody can get ahead economically here. Do you think that can ever happen with tax rates between 60% and 80%? Think again. With the government taking that percentage of your money, your life will be exactly like life in Europe. You will never be able to buy a home. You will never buy a car. You will never send your children to college. Let's not shuffle the battle cry of the socialists under the rug either. It's always the same cry: Equalize income; Spread the wealth to the poor (whoever they are); Level the economic playing field. Accomplish that and everything will be rosy.

It's time to take a really hard look at reality. Greece is a perfect example. Despite the socialism system that has ruled this country for decades, with a 65% tax rate, they are drowning in public debt, would have defaulted without hundreds of billions in bailout money, and still. .. 20% of their population lives in poverty. What has all that socialism money bought, besides ultimate power for the politicians running the show? Do you think these people are "free"? They're not. They are slaves to their economic "system."

This is where we are going unless we throw the present Congress and Obama out.

Indians game last night was close for the most part. Austin had his best outing on defense. He was very aggressive for the most part, guess better late then never. Hopefully it carries over to next year. He played the entire time on offense as WR had two catches that were poorly thrown, one for a two point conversion. He's dressing with the sophomores on Thursday, then it's off to BB.

We lost Mr. C yesterday. Tom Bosley at 83......of course he was a bad guy in the movie "Gus"



Pool league tonight and kickball

Basketball starts tomorrow

Billy Currie's amazing story about how his concussion was handled back in the 60's with the Packers....Nitschke was one guy I wouldn't want to mess with.

Deep Thought of the Day: Barbie has a lot of nice things for a girl who's knees don't bend.

That race down at Mullets on Friday night was a very cool event and after finding out how much the deer damage to Sarah's car was Mark now owes me an adult beverage. Thank god for tabs, right Tom....

Brad and Kailey went through with it. After looking at there slide show, I like there chances. Olivia was a great flower girl, Marcus even flew in the night before"Surprise"Marcus and Laura have their hands full with their niece.......Mother of the bride: I don't need set up with your nieces, thanks anyway.

All my teams blew it, most of them got hammered. Austins team lost 63-7...I blame the blow out to the coaches. I think they still would have lost with most anybody coaching, but they should have been able to keep it closer. Stupid philosophy in certain situations....Put me in as offensive coord before the game even started and we should have been able to keep it to at least 41-14.
Cowboys
ISU

Secretariat was a good movie. For a while there I was feeling all the similarities.......It can get bothersome, when you're trying to live a different life......
WOW places to eat downtown...hmmmmm...one place to stay away from...better not say the name right now....I doubt they will stay open for long.
Food tasted fine, I liked the walls.....
Service=awwww
Dishes=holly crap...wine glass, water glass, plate...were filthy and felt grimy on top of that......silverware seemed clean.....

Austins last game tonight against Urbandale. Then full speed into basketball.......

HEAVEN AND HELL

While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Senator was tragically hit by a car and died.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the Senator..

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really?, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it
are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes
it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St.
Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven.."

So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls
moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a
good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down
to hell..

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren
land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed
in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

"I don't understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.

What happened?"

The devil smiles at him and says,

"Yesterday we were campaigning ... Today, you voted.."

Vote wisely on
November 2, 2010