I've often found it both frustrating and humorous to hear Congressional Republicans and/or conservative talking heads discuss taxes, especially under President Obama. It's felt as though whenever the words Obama and taxes came up, a light went off inside these individuals' noggins and in unison, they shouted out the word "socialism!" Anymore, socialism appears to be the word most often used by such individuals in an attempt to strike fear into people. I'm not sure why this is exactly. At face value, socialism doesn't appear to be very frightening. It's not like the word is "killyouism" or "goscrewyourmomism" or even "Ihateeverythingthatexistsism." When I think of "social," I think of going out with friends or family, eating a meal, having a drink, and chatting. More times than not, this results in a good time had by all (okay, most). Unless a person is a hermit or a mime, chances are the word "social" doesn't strike a great deal of fear into people. In any case, the word socialism has been flung around by Republican politicians and conservative pundits alike more frequently over the past 4+ years than people over the age of 70 have said "Kids these days!"
No matter how much conservative politicians or talk show personalities like to equate President Obama with socialism, however, this country's tax numbers show a completely different story.
According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), when it comes to taxes, the United States is ranked 32nd of 34 developed countries.
In 2010, the U.S.'s total tax revenue (federal, state, and local) was equal to just 24.8% of its GDP, which ranked it ahead of only Chile (19.6%) and Mexico (18.8%). The average number for the 34 developed countries was 33.4%, a full 8.6% greater than what was collected in the U.S. that year - the most recent year for which the OECD has released data. Yeah, that's socialism alright, as much as a 20% score on an exam is brilliance-ism... What does socialism mean again? Sometimes I want to get in touch with my inner The Princess Bride and respond to these far-right politicians and media personalities, "You keep using that word ("socialism" as opposed to "inconceivable"). I do not think it means what you think it means."
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/04/08/1834981/the-us-collects-less-in-taxes-than-all-but-two-industrialized-countries/
http://ctj.org/ctjreports/2013/04/the_us_continues_to_be_one_of_the_least_taxed_of_the_developed_countries.php#.UWRX78qbWB2
No matter how much conservative politicians or talk show personalities like to equate President Obama with socialism, however, this country's tax numbers show a completely different story.
According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), when it comes to taxes, the United States is ranked 32nd of 34 developed countries.
In 2010, the U.S.'s total tax revenue (federal, state, and local) was equal to just 24.8% of its GDP, which ranked it ahead of only Chile (19.6%) and Mexico (18.8%). The average number for the 34 developed countries was 33.4%, a full 8.6% greater than what was collected in the U.S. that year - the most recent year for which the OECD has released data. Yeah, that's socialism alright, as much as a 20% score on an exam is brilliance-ism... What does socialism mean again? Sometimes I want to get in touch with my inner The Princess Bride and respond to these far-right politicians and media personalities, "You keep using that word ("socialism" as opposed to "inconceivable"). I do not think it means what you think it means."
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/04/08/1834981/the-us-collects-less-in-taxes-than-all-but-two-industrialized-countries/
http://ctj.org/ctjreports/2013/04/the_us_continues_to_be_one_of_the_least_taxed_of_the_developed_countries.php#.UWRX78qbWB2
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