4 ms·

You say "typical government behavior". Please note that the problems you point out are limited to the US. At least, it's not been my experience when at airports

by dalke 10y ago

You say "typical government behavior". Please note that the problems you point out are limited to the US. At least, it's not been my experience when at airports in Europe. Perhaps you think they are "typical" because you've been on the receiving end of decades of propaganda to convince you the government is incompetent, there's nothing you can do about it, and the only solution is the "free market"? To start with, why can't the government raise taxes?

DougWebb 10y ago
You're making huge assumptions about me and my political beliefs. Incorrect assumptions. The US federal government is bad about this, but they're not the only ones that do it: effective tax rates here are just as high as in many European countries, but most of the taxes aren't called 'tax'. There are fees and tolls and surcharges on many living expenses, and more that get hidden in higher prices for many products. That's why I said that adding a TSA fee to airline tickets, but not using the money for the TSA, is typical behavior. I wish the taxation system was honest and transparent. I wish the money was used competently and efficiently. But the political system here is screwed up I don't think those are achievable goals. And unfortunatly it's led to having an incompent fascist as a leading presidential candidate.
- dalke 10y ago
  I believe my assumptions are neither bigger nor more incorrect than your assumption that the government can't raise taxes.
  - DougWebb 10y ago
    I didn't mean that the government can't raise taxes the way you're assuming I meant. I was describing typical government behavior, where lawmakers have to decide how to describe the act of collecting more money. Calling it "raising taxes" makes it harder for them to get re-elected, so they call it "collecting a fee" instead.

4 ms·

You say "typical government behavior". Please note that the problems you point out are limited to the US. At least, it's not been my experience when at airports

by dalke 10y ago

DougWebb 10y ago
You're making huge assumptions about me and my political beliefs. Incorrect assumptions. The US federal government is bad about this, but they're not the only ones that do it: effective tax rates here are just as high as in many European countries, but most of the taxes aren't called 'tax'. There are fees and tolls and surcharges on many living expenses, and more that get hidden in higher prices for many products. That's why I said that adding a TSA fee to airline tickets, but not using the money for the TSA, is typical behavior. I wish the taxation system was honest and transparent. I wish the money was used competently and efficiently. But the political system here is screwed up I don't think those are achievable goals. And unfortunatly it's led to having an incompent fascist as a leading presidential candidate.
- dalke 10y ago
  I believe my assumptions are neither bigger nor more incorrect than your assumption that the government can't raise taxes.
  - DougWebb 10y ago
    I didn't mean that the government can't raise taxes the way you're assuming I meant. I was describing typical government behavior, where lawmakers have to decide how to describe the act of collecting more money. Calling it "raising taxes" makes it harder for them to get re-elected, so they call it "collecting a fee" instead.