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"In general Swedes accept taxes" overlooks some rather important facts. Firstly, "in general" is very vague. There are famous cases of rich Swedes who don't wa

"In general Swedes accept taxes" overlooks some rather important facts. Firstly, "in general" is very vague. There are famous cases of rich Swedes who don't want to pay Swedish taxes and successfully avoid doing so. IKEA's tax structure is legendary isn't it? Secondly, Sweden has cut taxes in the recent past: https://iea.org.uk/blog/how-high-tax-sweden-abolished-its-disastrous-inheritance-tax https://iea.org.uk/blog/how-high-tax-sweden-abolished-its-di... Obviously many Swedes weren't happy with high tax rates. In this very left-wing article about how Swedes love paying very high tax rates, it is observed: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2008/nov/16/sweden-tax-burden-welfare https://www.theguardian.com/money/2008/nov/16/sweden-tax-bur... 'The median voter is a woman who works for the public sector, and around two-thirds of the electorate draw most of their income from the state, either because they work in the public sector or draw benefits from it.' So yes the average Swede is a net recipient of tax money and is thus going to think taxes are awesome. Obviously in a world where a minority are forced to pay for the living costs of the majority, "in general" the population will believe it's a good system. But is a good idea or sustainable over the long term, let alone moral?

jadel 7y ago
That isn't really how the Swedish tax system works. A lot of that is paying yourself in one form or another. The problem in Sweden is that if you for example you get $500k from you parents, buy an apartment that appreciates, go study for five years, have a kid and take parental leave for another two years you pay maybe 10-20% tax overall (on the appreciation mostly) and nothing for health care or education for yourself or your kids, which might go to semi private school. While the average person who don't have rich parents, or maybe kids, and are trying to work their way up are paying 40-50% or more on their income and not getting much in return. And on top of that are paying for some of the highest property values and general prices in Europe. Stockholm built the most expensive hospital in the world, yet has one of the lowest tax rates in the country. I don't mind paying taxes, but I want them to be put to good use and not be some sort of discount system for those who are already well off so they can take more vacations. (I do realize that their is a lot of history behind that, but it is now getting warped into some form of crony capitalism).

jadel 7y ago

That isn't really how the Swedish tax system works. A lot of that is paying yourself in one form or another. The problem in Sweden is that if you for example you get $500k from you parents, buy an apartment that appreciates, go study for five years, have a kid and take parental leave for another two years you pay maybe 10-20% tax overall (on the appreciation mostly) and nothing for health care or education for yourself or your kids, which might go to semi private school. While the average person who don't have rich parents, or maybe kids, and are trying to work their way up are paying 40-50% or more on their income and not getting much in return. And on top of that are paying for some of the highest property values and general prices in Europe. Stockholm built the most expensive hospital in the world, yet has one of the lowest tax rates in the country. I don't mind paying taxes, but I want them to be put to good use and not be some sort of discount system for those who are already well off so they can take more vacations. (I do realize that their is a lot of history behind that, but it is now getting warped into some form of crony capitalism).