3 ms·

Everyone's biased, but descriptions matching those above are commonly observed here regardless of political views. They are in fact common to the point of trite

Everyone's biased, but descriptions matching those above are commonly observed here regardless of political views. They are in fact common to the point of triteness. If I were to talk about what's actually going on and explain why Norway fosters less tech innovation than Sweden it would have to be in a different form than comments. But I wanted to point out that the explanation might have to do with things unrelated to regulations, taxes, and safety nets. Are Finns drunker than Norwegians? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_consumption_per_capita https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_c... Is this bias?

KozmoNau7 9y ago
Just for a starter, "Danes are even more content than Norwegians with having even less, giving almost everything back to the state" is blatantly and utterly false. The effective tax rate in Denmark is not particularly remarkable among OECD countries. This misconception, as well as call to "all Norwegians know this", and your use of the term "politically correct" as a pejorative makes it clear that you have a political agenda, an axe to grind with the social democracy practiced in the Scandinavian countries.
- ThomPete 9y ago
  Danish tax rate is one of the highest in the world if not the highest in the world. On top of that you have 25% VAT and on cars, you are up to around 200% (recently lowered) Denmark is indeed remarkable.
  - KozmoNau7 9y ago
    The tax rate is high, but on the flipside we also have pretty much the best and most extensive public services and social safety nets in the world. Still, it's around 25-35% all-in, nowhere near the 50+% a lot of right-wing pundits keep lying about. Car registration tax has never been 200%. It has been 105% up to ~$15K of the car's value and 180% above that for years, which was lowered to 150% some time ago. Now the lower rate has been reduced to 85% and the cutover raised to around ~$20K, and rebates for fuel economy and safety gear have increased significantly. A small car is only marginally more expensive in Denmark compared to Germany, while larger and luxury cars are rightfully more expensive. You obviously only have a very tenuous grasp of what you're talking about, so please stop, listen and learn instead.
    - erikbye 9y ago
      You seem to agree that Denmark's vehicle taxation is remarkably high. Many people are reliant on having a vehicle, and one larger than a Polo, so their total taxation is remarkably higher than in other countries based on this alone. You used the word "rightfully" as if it's a moral given that people in need of bigger vehicles should be taxed more. Vehicles aside, in Denmark, you have a gross tax of 8% in addition to payroll tax. You have municipal tax, a health contribution tax, etc. If you make more than DKK 479 600, you are taxed an additional 15%. This means you will be taxed around 50% on income tax alone. Then add the vehicle taxation, and VAT, etc. You can try to justify this massive taxation. Rationalize it, based on your political views. But it's not wrong to say that Danes are taxed even more than Norwegians. > Still, it's around 25-35% all-in. That's false. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Denmark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Denmark http://www.economist.com/node/21531016 http://www.economist.com/node/21531016 https://tradingeconomics.com/denmark/personal-income-tax-rate https://tradingeconomics.com/denmark/personal-income-tax-rat... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_in_Europe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_in_Europe
      - fulafel 9y ago
        Cars are a major cause of global warming, so there is a pressing need to curb their use. People don't inherently need cars (or big cars), we have to change our ways to drive less.
        erikbye 9y ago
        I won't really get into the politics of vehicles, but many people do need a car if they are to make a living, thinking otherwise is naive and unrealistic. For many, it is their living. Others need it for personal freedom, some people enjoy a road trip; others like to be able to visit friends and family. Perhaps some even use a vehicle to come take care of sick and elderly living in rural areas. People who don't live in cities need cars; public transportation is not widespread enough or flexible enough. Maybe you want to condemn everyone to live in cities? Or to not have big families, or to not produce goods where at one point those goods need to be transported to outlets by vehicle. The manufacturing of goods cause pollution as well, you don't want to have that production in urban areas and affect the health of those living there. Not all transportation can be done by other means, shipping, trains, etc. Goods have to get to stores. Sometime in the future, we will have more efficient means of delivery, at the very least all the vehicles delivering goods will be autonomous and electric, but for now, we're not there. In the case of Denmark, first off, their vehicles per capita is very low, and not because of taxation. Going after the few people who need their cars is punishing, kind of hypocritical as well, when you're at the same time burning coal. Second, Denmark's contribution to global warming is infinitesimal, let's focus on the United States and China who's the biggest polluters, by far. You don't cut the snake's tail.

KozmoNau7 9y ago

Just for a starter, "Danes are even more content than Norwegians with having even less, giving almost everything back to the state" is blatantly and utterly false. The effective tax rate in Denmark is not particularly remarkable among OECD countries. This misconception, as well as call to "all Norwegians know this", and your use of the term "politically correct" as a pejorative makes it clear that you have a political agenda, an axe to grind with the social democracy practiced in the Scandinavian countries.

ThomPete 9y ago
Danish tax rate is one of the highest in the world if not the highest in the world. On top of that you have 25% VAT and on cars, you are up to around 200% (recently lowered) Denmark is indeed remarkable.
- KozmoNau7 9y ago
  The tax rate is high, but on the flipside we also have pretty much the best and most extensive public services and social safety nets in the world. Still, it's around 25-35% all-in, nowhere near the 50+% a lot of right-wing pundits keep lying about. Car registration tax has never been 200%. It has been 105% up to ~$15K of the car's value and 180% above that for years, which was lowered to 150% some time ago. Now the lower rate has been reduced to 85% and the cutover raised to around ~$20K, and rebates for fuel economy and safety gear have increased significantly. A small car is only marginally more expensive in Denmark compared to Germany, while larger and luxury cars are rightfully more expensive. You obviously only have a very tenuous grasp of what you're talking about, so please stop, listen and learn instead.
  - erikbye 9y ago
    You seem to agree that Denmark's vehicle taxation is remarkably high. Many people are reliant on having a vehicle, and one larger than a Polo, so their total taxation is remarkably higher than in other countries based on this alone. You used the word "rightfully" as if it's a moral given that people in need of bigger vehicles should be taxed more. Vehicles aside, in Denmark, you have a gross tax of 8% in addition to payroll tax. You have municipal tax, a health contribution tax, etc. If you make more than DKK 479 600, you are taxed an additional 15%. This means you will be taxed around 50% on income tax alone. Then add the vehicle taxation, and VAT, etc. You can try to justify this massive taxation. Rationalize it, based on your political views. But it's not wrong to say that Danes are taxed even more than Norwegians. > Still, it's around 25-35% all-in. That's false. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Denmark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Denmark http://www.economist.com/node/21531016 http://www.economist.com/node/21531016 https://tradingeconomics.com/denmark/personal-income-tax-rate https://tradingeconomics.com/denmark/personal-income-tax-rat... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_in_Europe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_in_Europe
    - fulafel 9y ago
      Cars are a major cause of global warming, so there is a pressing need to curb their use. People don't inherently need cars (or big cars), we have to change our ways to drive less.
      - erikbye 9y ago
        I won't really get into the politics of vehicles, but many people do need a car if they are to make a living, thinking otherwise is naive and unrealistic. For many, it is their living. Others need it for personal freedom, some people enjoy a road trip; others like to be able to visit friends and family. Perhaps some even use a vehicle to come take care of sick and elderly living in rural areas. People who don't live in cities need cars; public transportation is not widespread enough or flexible enough. Maybe you want to condemn everyone to live in cities? Or to not have big families, or to not produce goods where at one point those goods need to be transported to outlets by vehicle. The manufacturing of goods cause pollution as well, you don't want to have that production in urban areas and affect the health of those living there. Not all transportation can be done by other means, shipping, trains, etc. Goods have to get to stores. Sometime in the future, we will have more efficient means of delivery, at the very least all the vehicles delivering goods will be autonomous and electric, but for now, we're not there. In the case of Denmark, first off, their vehicles per capita is very low, and not because of taxation. Going after the few people who need their cars is punishing, kind of hypocritical as well, when you're at the same time burning coal. Second, Denmark's contribution to global warming is infinitesimal, let's focus on the United States and China who's the biggest polluters, by far. You don't cut the snake's tail.