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Thanks for your response. Maybe taxes in California are crater than Croatia, but I would be very surprised if the average tax want much greater in Europe than

Thanks for your response. Maybe taxes in California are crater than Croatia, but I would be very surprised if the average tax want much greater in Europe than in the US. Do you have specific places in mind? I also think fear of police is overblown in the US (maybe I would feel differently if my skin were a different color, but this doesn't appear to have a basis in data), and "freedom from fear of police" isn't really a political freedom (at least in my mind) unless you are referring to police oppressing people for their speech, political affiliations, etc, which clearly is a non-issue in the US. That said, while the odds of being injured or killed by police are many times greater than in Europe, they are still miniscule. It seems analogous to the recently heightened risk of terrorist activity in Europe--many times greater than in the US, but still not a reason to avoid Europe. I do think Europe is a good value proposition for a lot of people (I've lived there and occasionally consider trying to move back), but I don't think Europeans have more freedom.

biztos 9y ago
The tax picture is complicated, as always, but consider Hungary, where VAT is very high (27%) but income tax is very low (15% flat tax). Vibrant tech scene, programmers are paid very well by local standards, etc. Having gotten quite used to the mellow police of Europe (not that I've ever been arrested or anything) I find the militarized police of the US unnerving every time I go back. Not sure I'd call it a political freedom but having mostly-friendly cops even in a really big city is a big quality of life thing. Plus, drinking beer on the tram (in Berlin) -- that's definitely a freedom you won't enjoy in California. :-)
someSven 9y ago
Good example: There is no homeschooling allowed in Germany. And private schools and universities are rare. The public education system is full of international socialist propaganda.

biztos 9y ago

The tax picture is complicated, as always, but consider Hungary, where VAT is very high (27%) but income tax is very low (15% flat tax). Vibrant tech scene, programmers are paid very well by local standards, etc. Having gotten quite used to the mellow police of Europe (not that I've ever been arrested or anything) I find the militarized police of the US unnerving every time I go back. Not sure I'd call it a political freedom but having mostly-friendly cops even in a really big city is a big quality of life thing. Plus, drinking beer on the tram (in Berlin) -- that's definitely a freedom you won't enjoy in California. :-)

someSven 9y ago

Good example: There is no homeschooling allowed in Germany. And private schools and universities are rare. The public education system is full of international socialist propaganda.