Damn quote feature isn't working so I'll do it manually...
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Originally posted by Pleasurepays:
thats not exactly true. what the tax bracket is... and what tax laws allow you to write off and thus the true tax rate one pays, are two entirely different things. although Canadas general tax brackets aren't much higher... what people actually end up paying in taxes is much higher.
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No, what I said is pretty much exactly true. There really isn't all that much difference in what we pay in income tax here to that of the US. In some cases it can be somewhat higher, but not as much as people such as yourself would have everyone believe. I know, I live here, I've been paying taxes for over 25 years, and I know a lot of people in the states who've told me how they have it there.
I've compared, and I know. And to be honest, my own accountant/tax/investment guy not only agrees with me but has said it himself on numerous occasions.
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i am too lazy to look things up but i am sure you will find that a person making 120,000.00 USD per year in Canada and 120,000.00 USD per year in the US are paying vastly different amounts in taxes. certainly far more than the cost of medical insurance.
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Nope. See above.
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only yesterday, i was listening to a lecture from Canada on how the US dollar will/might/can affect Canadas economy, Canadas tax system etc etc etc.
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No argument there.
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people don't have to spend 1000.00s per year on private coverage here.
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They may not have to, but they do. In fact, several have posted on this very board over the years about what they pay for medical insurance. I've seen it as low as $100-$200 per month and as high as $600 and yes, a few even said they pay over $1000 a month (probably a family plan). Maybe you're not as in touch with your fellow Americans as you think.
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many people have amazing coverage through their employer... otherwise, it just costs a couple hundred to a few hundred a month for great coverage without having to deal with paying extra 1000s or 10's of 1000's in taxes. and with that, you dont have the issues of socialized medicine.
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Dude, stop trying to paint the rosey picture here. Many of us have read right on this board the accounts of people whose coverage only covered 70 or 80% of costs and they were left with owing $20k, $40k, $80k etc after a long illness. What about expensive drug treatments that aren't fully covered etc. When you are in the hospital here in Canada ALL of the meds they give you are covered 100% and for all intents and purposes... free. I realise it's not truly free, but like I said earlier... upon your discharge from a Canadian hospital we get NO bill. None.
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regardless of what anyone wants to argue about the pro's and con's of either system of health care... it should be clear to any sane person that each system has its pluses and minuses and is more a matter of personal preferrence, rather than what is "clearly working" vs. a system that is "clearly not working"... hence the arguments.
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THAT is completely true. Every word. I would never claim to say that Canada's system is perfect, it's far from it. I was merely trying to clear up at least the misconception that we pay "65% in taxes" which is pure bunk, and was pointing out a few of the advantage we have here, and stated that I prefer it here. Period.
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the bulk of our problems in the US have nothing to do with taxes, cost of insurance etc...
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Tell that to all those who are right now struggling for their lives to pay off a massive medical bill, and all those who are at risk because they can't afford decent coverage.
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but rather with a legal system that allows anyone to sue anyone, anytime for any reason and expect huge payouts. a system that breeds ambulance chasing attorneys. a system where drug companies are probably much too powerful a player and a system where people are short sighted and idiotic and came up with the painfully stupid idea of HMO's where the interest of the business and the customer are perfectly aligned (in this case, with costs) and have nothing to do with better care.
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No argument on all that.
You make some good points. A few very good points.