Another expert due to personal experience: I Grew Up in a Communist System. Here’s What Americans Don’t Understand About Freedom Only in a free-market system can we truly achieve individual liberty and human flourishing. Friday, March 09, 2018 Carmen Alexe Individual freedom can only exist in the context of free-market capitalism. Personal freedom thrives in capitalism, declines in government-regulated economies, and vanishes in communism. Aside from better economic and legislative policies, what America needs is a more intense appreciation for individual freedom and capitalism. I was born and raised in communist Romania during the Cold War, a country in which the government owned all the resources and means of production. The state controlled almost every aspect of our lives: our education, our job placement, the time of day we could have hot water, and what we were allowed to say. Like the rest of the Eastern European countries, Romania was often referred to as a communist country. In school, we were taught it was a socialist country. Its name prior to the 1989 Revolution to overthrow the Ceausescu regime was the Socialist Republic of Romania. From an economic standpoint, a petty fraction of property was still privately owned. In a communist system, all property is owned by the state. So if it wasn't a true communist economy, its heavy central planning and the application of a totalitarian control over the Romanian citizenry made this nation rightfully gain its title of a communist country. Socialism Creates Shortages Despite the fact that Romania was a country rich in resources, there were shortages everywhere. Food, electricity, water, and just about every one of life's necessities were in short supply. The apartment building in which we lived provided hot water for showers two hours in the morning and two hours at night. We had to be quick and on time so we didn't miss the opportunity. I get it, maybe we didn't need to be fashionable. But we needed to eat. Wrigley's chewing gum and Swiss chocolate were a rare delight for us. I remember how happy I was when I'd have a pack of foreign bubblegum or a bar of delicious milk chocolate. I'd usually save them for special occasions. Fruity lip gloss, French perfume, and jeans were but a few of the popular items available only on the black market and with the right connections. God bless our black-market entrepreneurs! They made our lives better. They gave us the opportunity to buy things we very much desired, things we couldn't get from the government-owned retail stores which were either half-empty or full of products that were ugly and of poor quality. The grocery stores were not any better. I get it, maybe we didn't need to be fashionable. But we needed to eat. So, the old Romanian adage "Conscience goes through the stomach" made a lot of sense. During the late 1970s, life in Romania started to deteriorate even more. Meat was hardly a consumer staple for the average Romanian. Instead, our parents learned to become good at preparing the liver, the brain, the tongue, and other giblets that most people in the West would not even consider trying. For a family of four like us, our rationed quota was 1 kilogram of flour and 1 kilogram of sugar per month. When milk, butter, eggs, and yogurt were temporarily available, my mom—like so many others of our neighbors—would wake up at 2:00 a.m. to go stand in line so she'd have the chance to get us these goodies. The store would open at 6:00 a.m., so if she wasn't early enough in line she'd miss the opportunity. In 1982, the state sent their disciples to people's homes to do the census. Along with that, food rationing was implemented. For a family of four like us, our rationed quota was 1 kilogram of flour and 1 kilogram of sugar per month. That is, if they were available and if we were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when they were being distributed. The one television channel our government provided for us often focused on programs related to crime and poverty in the western world. After all, people were poor and suffering because of capitalism, so we were told, so we needed socialism and communism to solve the inequalities of humanity. Capitalism Advances Private Property Considering the shortages created by the government-controlled economy of my birth country, I came to understand and appreciate capitalism, the one system that had the most dramatic effect in elevating human civilization. Private property and private property rights are at the core of capitalism. The layman definition of capitalism is the economic system in which people and businesses engage in manufacturing, trading, and exchanging products and services without government interference. A free-market capitalist system works in a more efficient manner when not tampered with by government or central bank intervention in the credit markets, monetary policy, and interest rate fixing. Private property and private property rights are at the core of capitalism. When in school, we learned that private property makes people greedy and is considered detrimental to society. Private property was associated with capitalism, the system that our textbooks claimed failed. Allocation of Resources Romania was rich in natural resources, yet the difference between our standard of living and those from the West was quite dramatic. It was indicative of a flawed economic system that most countries in Eastern Europe adhered to during the Soviet Era. But one may ask why was there so much poverty when natural resources are so abundant? The free market, however, directs the allocation of resources via the amazing process of supply and demand. Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources which have alternative uses. Efficiency is thus of primary concern when the goal is economic progress. In a centrally-planned environment, the various government individuals who are assigned the task of planning the economy could not possibly know how to properly allocate the scarce resources of an entire nation, no matter how smart or educated they are. Shortages are one of the consequences of improper allocation of the scarce resources. The free market, however, through the multiple spontaneous interactions of businesses and consumers, directs the allocation of resources via the amazing process of supply and demand. It is precisely due to the profit and loss events that economic efficiency is stimulated. Free Markets Attract Capital Due to its profit incentives, capitalism encourages innovation. Innovation leads to progress and an increase in the standard of living. But progress and the climate which offers humans a high standard of living cannot be created without the capital to transform and turn resources into the final products that give us the—relatively—cheap energy and food, smartphones, fitness gyms, and overall the life we currently afford. Capital moves in the direction of less regulation, less government intervention, and less taxation. In short, capital moves to where there's more economic freedom. Capital is chased away due to the high risk associated with governments who engage in high levels of controlling their economies. In contrast, communism, socialism, fascism, or just about any government-controlled system lacks the profit incentive. The people, who are the human resources, have no desire to engage in a business where the reward is not attainable (unless it's done in the black markets). They accept the state and its bureaucratic cronies to dictate their faith. Capital is chased away due to the high risk associated with governments who engage in high levels of controlling their economies and, often, corruption. The overall standard of living is dramatically lower than in most capitalist places, and the poverty is higher. Consequently, the collectivist country falls into an economic and social trap from which it is hard to escape. Only capitalism can save a nation from the failure of its central economic planning. Capitalism Helps Us Be Better Individuals Similar to the old Soviet lifestyle, let's remember what the typical Venezuelan family of our times worries about on a daily basis. Food to put on the table and the safety of their children. They wake up in the morning wondering how many meals they can afford that day, where to get them from, and how to pay for them. Capitalism makes it possible for us to challenge ourselves, to have goals, and to put forth the sweat in order to achieve them. We, the lucky ones to live in a relatively free-market system, don't have these kinds of worries. We go to work, get leisure time to be on Facebook, watch TV, be with our families, read books, and enjoy a hobby or two. In short, we have the personal freedom to engage in and enjoy a variety of life events because of capitalism. But there's another important motive to desire to live in a capitalist society. We are free to create and come up with all kinds of business ideas, no matter how crazy some might be. Because we don't have to worry about tomorrow, we have—or make—the time to read, explore, and innovate. Capitalism makes it possible for us to challenge ourselves, to have goals, and to put forth the sweat to achieve them. It gives us the freedom to try new things and explore new opportunities. It gives us the chance to create more opportunities. It helps us build strong character because when we try, we also fail, and without failure, how do we know we've made mistakes? Without failure, how do we know we must make changes? Individual Freedom Can Only Exist in the Context of Free Markets Before immigrating to the U.S., I had to go through a rigorous process. One of the events was the immigration interview with the American counselor who, among many other questions, asked why I escaped Romania and why I wanted to come to America. My short answer was freedom. Then he posed the interesting question: "If America was to go through a period of economic devastation with shortages similar to Romania, would you still feel the same way?" I didn't think too much about it, and I said, "Yes, of course, as long as I have freedom." Capitalism is the path to the individual rights and liberty that build the solid foundation of a free society. In retrospect, that was a dumb answer on my part. After several decades, I came to believe that the human condition of individual freedom can only exist in the context of free markets. Shortages are created by the intrusion of the state into the complex activity of the markets, whether it's price controls or poor allocation of resources. When shortages are powerful and long enough to dramatically affect lives, people resort to revolt. Large revolts call for serious governmental actions including, but not limited to, eroding or completely eliminating individual rights (the right to free speech and to bear arms), the institution of a police state, and the enacting of a powerful state propaganda system. Capitalism is the path to the individual rights and liberty that build the solid foundation of a free society. Is America a True Capitalist Economy? The short answer is no. Most of the world refers to the American system as being a capitalist one. Based on my short definition of capitalism, it is obvious that it is not quite a pure one, and I wish to clarify that the U.S. is not a truly free-market capitalist system. We still maintain stronger capitalist traits than most, however a few other nations who lead the way in economic freedom have surpassed us. The economic policy of the 19th Century with limited regulations and minimal taxation attracted the needed capital to our country. The Industrial Revolution made spectacular advancements in human conditions due to the capital concentrated in the region. America lost its number one place due to legislating higher regulations, taxation, and protectionist policies. But we are still enjoying some of the fruits today. Compared to many countries in the world, we still maintain stronger capitalist traits than most, however Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, New Zealand, and a few other nations who lead the way in economic freedom have surpassed us (see the latest statistics). What America Needs It starts in our own backyard, in our home, in our small group, in our community. Aside from better economic and legislative policies, what America needs is a more intense appreciation of individual freedom and capitalism. Such a crazy idea is not acquired through public schools or becoming a public servant. Young people don't need more years of schooling with more worthless college degrees and student loans in default. America needs more entrepreneurs and businessmen. It needs more people with drive and ambition, more self-starters, more innovators, more people who are willing to take chances. It starts in our own backyard, in our home, in our small group, in our community. It starts with loving, involved, and dedicated parents who'd instill the values of personal responsibility and delayed gratification in their children. It continues with an education that entails both theory and hands-on practice in environments conducive to learning how to think independently and how to acquire life- and work-skills. It evolves into a purpose-driven life rich in learning and experiences. And this may be just the beginning of attaining the intellectual maturity to perceive the value that free markets and individual freedom afford most of us. https://fee.org/articles/i-grew-up-...hat-americans-don-t-understand-about-freedom/ Carmen Alexe escaped Communist Romania during the Cold War. Her motive was individual freedom. She has close to 30 years in the lending industry, currently working as a Commercial Real Estate Consultant. She's been a real estate investor since 2001. She's also a passionate Salsa dancer. She's a free spirit doing research on and practicing how to live free in an unfree world. She shares her zeal for free markets, individual freedom, and personal responsibility by writing on her blog.
1...Only your fellow Trumpets...sorry , but you don't speak for everyone here, least of all, me. 2..that's because you probably didn't read...I think you simply google shit, then copy and paste it whether it has merit or not. 3..."we"?...again you don't speak for everyone...you seem to be the only one here who has a problem with me...and the Bill of Rights does not exempt you from being ridiculed by others who disagree with...how's that for a Constitutional lesson?....derp. 4...oh, I do, but 95% of the drivel that you post is not worth reading or is flat out laughably erroneous...so why should I think that you've wised up?
The financial cost of socialism: The Countries with the Highest Income Tax Rates for Singles and Families By Amy Fontinelle | April 8, 2017 — 12:15 PM EDT The 5 Countries with the Highest Income Taxes for Average -Earning Singles with No Children First, let’s look at the countries with the highest all-in average personal income tax rates at the average wage for a single person with no children. 1. Belgium, 42.0% Belgium, like many countries we’ll discuss here, has a progressive tax, which means that higher-income individuals pay more taxes than lower-income individuals do. Its top progressive rate is 50%. Income from property, work, investments and miscellaneous sources is all taxable. Capital gains tax rates depend on the type of capital. Employees also pay a social security tax of 13.07% of their income. The government allows deductions for business expenses, social contributions and 80% of alimony payments, and there is a personal allowance based on filing status. 2. Germany, 39.7% Germany levies a progressive income and capital tax that caps out at 45%. Sources of taxable income include agriculture, forestry, business ownership, employment, self-employment, savings and investments, rental property and capital gains. The first EUR 801 in savings and investment income is not taxed, thanks to the saver’s allowance. There is a 25% withholding tax on interest and dividends and a 15% withholding tax on royalties. Members of certain churches pay an 8% or 9% church tax, which is tax deductible. Church taxes are levied in many European countries. In some cases only church members are required to pay a percentage of income to the church to which they belong; in others all taxpayers pay a church tax, but have the option of paying it to the state instead of to a religious organization. Income of up to EUR 8,652 is considered a personal allowance and is not taxed. Other deductions include a percentage of contributions to a statutory pension insurance plan; health insurance premiums; private accident, life, unemployment and disability insurance premiums; donations to registered charities; and up to EUR 6,000 per year in training for a future profession. 3. Denmark, 36.1% Denmark’s progressive income tax tops out at 55.8%, and the average individual pays 45%. The Danes pay an 8% Danish labor market contribution tax, a 5% healthcare tax, 22.5% to 27.8% in municipal taxes, social security taxes of DKK 1,080 (USD 155) per year and capital gains taxes of 27% or 42%. There is a 27% withholding tax on dividends and 25% on royalties. Employment income, bonuses, fringe benefits, business income, fees, pensions, annuities, social security benefits, dividends, interest, capital gains and real estate rental income are all taxable. There is also a voluntary church tax of 0.43% to 1.40%. Tax deductions are available for limited contributions to approved Danish pensions, unemployment insurance, interest on debt, charitable contributions, unreimbursed work travel and double households. The personal tax relief allowance was DKK 43,400 (USD 6,212) in 2015. 4. Austria, 34.9% Austrians pay progressive taxes as high as 55% on earned income, which includes employment income and certain fringe benefits. Investment income and capital gains are taxed at 27.5%. White-collar employees contribute 18.07% of their income to social security, while blue-collar employees contribute 18.2%, subject to a ceiling of EUR 4,530. Austria provides automatic tax credits based on the number of individuals in a household that earn income, as well as credits for travel to work and number of children. Certain work-related expenses and child-care expenses are tax deductible. 5. Hungary, 34.5% Unlike other countries discussed in this article, Hungary assesses a flat personal income tax, not a progressive one, and the rate is 16%. This rate sounds relatively low, but as it applies to all income, it does not necessarily mean that Hungarians have a lower overall tax burden. Passive income from sources such as dividends, interest and property rentals is also taxed at 16%. Hungary provides deductions for professional training and business travel expenses, and families receive a deduction for each child. Hungary treats each spouse as a separate taxpayer. Social insurance contributions are 18.5% of income for employees. How the U.S. Compares The United States comes in at 25.6% in this category, giving it the 16th highest tax rate. On Average-Earning Married Couples With Two Children and One Working Spouse The countries with the highest average personal income taxes are different for families with two children. Only Denmark makes the top five in both categories. 1. Turkey, 25.8% Turkey’s income tax rates range from 15% to 35%. Turkey levies income tax on commercial, agricultural and professional activities; salaries and wages; income from immovable property; dividends, interest and royalties; and other income, including capital gains. Deductions are available for medical and educational expenses, pension and private health insurance expenses and certain donations. 2. Denmark, 25.3% Because we covered Denmark’s tax rates in the previous section, here is some additional information about taxation in Denmark. Residents pay taxes on worldwide income, and spouses must file separately. Capital gains on a home sale are normally tax exempt. Most taxpayers get a personal allowance worth DKK 44,000 (USD 6,297) and an employment allowance. Individuals pay property taxes, and anyone other than a spouse who receives an inheritance pays an inheritance tax. Consumers pay value-added taxes on most goods and services. 3. Finland, 25.2% Finland taxes its income earners at progressive rates that top out at 31.75%. Individuals also pay social insurance contributions and a public broadcasting tax. Finland levies income tax on salaries, wages, pensions and social benefits, as well as capital income from investments. Earned income is subject to national taxes, municipal taxes and church taxes. 4. Netherlands, 23.8% The Netherlands categorizes all income as coming from one of three categories: 1) salaries, wages, benefits in kind, pensions and home ownership income; 2) enterprise income from substantial business holdings; 3) savings and investment income. Each category has its own deductions and tax rates, and general tax credits apply to net income after the three categories are totaled. Income is taxed at progressive rates of 36.5% to 52%. Social security taxes are included in these rates. Married couples must file jointly unless they have filed for divorce, and some unmarried couples must also file jointly. 5. Norway, 23.0% Norway taxes residents on salaries, dividends, interest, royalties, real property, capital income and industrial, commercial and agricultural profits. Gains from the sale of a primary residence aren’t taxable after one year of ownership. Workers, employers and the state all contribute to social insurance that pays pension and medical benefits. Residents receive personal deductions and an unlimited deduction for interest paid on debts. Child tax credits are only available for documented expenses for children younger than 12, subject to limits per child. Individuals younger than 34 who are saving to buy a house get income tax relief of 20% of the amount saved. How the U.S. Compares The United States comes in at 13.7% in this category, giving it the 21st highest tax rate. https://www.investopedia.com/taxes/countries-highest-income-taxes/
...instead of acting like Trump, why don't you offer proof of your claims, instead of just blindly saying things...oh wait, you can't.
Without reading your book, are there any hints on who Ion Baleanu is or why he is credible? Also, how does he know that South Korea is, LOL, Communist? In other words, have you researched this material?
Don't have to dream to know this salient fact. However, I do sleep well knowing that our military is on guard.
Wouldn't this be one of those people who leave a "shit hole country" that you despise and say they should have stayed there and improved their own country instead of coming to ours? Oh nevermind, she's white.
So for roughly 10% more taxes we can get health insurance and education benefits? Sounds like a bargain to me since I pay more than that already in loans and premiums. Then there is also that Koch brothers funded report that says a single payer health care system will actually save us money over 10 years, since we already pay more per capita than any other country. https://www.thenation.com/article/thanks-koch-brothers-proof-single-payer-saves-money/ Health care costs and education costs are quickly becoming a leach on our system, economy and everyday lives. magine the pay and other benifits companies could offer if they were not obligsted to provide health care for their employees, which can make up 30% of their overall compensation.
Seriously? Extremely well-known Romanian immigrant who escaped communism and developed a highly successful life of freedom in the US. He has been a well-known journalist for decades revealing the truth about communism/socialism and other governmental forms of oppression, has acted in several films and on TV, a frequent guest for political interviews, and a small-business owner. Google him.
Wow, can't do basic math? Over 100% (double, triple for some) increase would be required to match tax rates of socialist countries. And still, their citizens come here for far superior medical treatment rather than die on waiting lists or be sent home with the lie that they are healthy. So desperate you had to quote the Koch Brothers for support?
You seem so scared of one type of one type of authoritative government that your willing to usher in another type. Why is there no compromise? Extremist on both ends are not good. There are actually good ideas on both sides and with most things the middle ground is the best for everyone. No one here wants state owned and control in all aspects of our lives, we just want a government that works for us.
Citizens here go to Mexico and China to afford health care also. Look up medical tourism, It's a thing
FIFY. Now that President Trump has ended the illegal fines and fees, Obamacare is crumbling into a toxic pile of massive personal debt for middle-class Americans, bringing another huge round of home repossessions, drug addiction and record homelessness, companies are beginning to offer great healthcare perks again along with increased wages.
There are plenty of issues with Obamacare but it was a response to a problem that already existed. It's not like Obama invented out of control medical costs and pre existing conditions. All Trump has done is make sure we don't address those issues for a long time. Health care premiums and costs are not going down wages are not going up.
I have no idea what you are referring to. I fully support our current government, which is built and guided by The Constitution and The Bill of Rights and designed to maximize the collective benefits of INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM. The US and it's style of government/capitalism is responsible for nearly every modern advancement of human beings over the last 2 centuries. I guess when viewed in comparison to the SLAVERY of communism/socialism, INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM could be called extreme. As in extremely necessary for mankind's continued existence.
I had good healthcare and comprehensive healthcare insurance for a total of about $4,000 a year before Obama was elected. Actual prices for healthcare have not increased dramatically in that time, except to cover Obamacare insurance. Now I have $38,000 in Obamacare debt weighing on my mortgage, even though I have had no medical problems during that time. Good thing I didn't, because the deductible would have left me paying another enormous amount each year for nothing. I have had no healthcare insurance at all for over 3 years now, because my cost for Obamacare Silver Standard plan exceeds $20,000 per year (plus deductible). Like most hard-working Americans, I make just a smidge too much to get any "subsidy" from Obamacare. To understand why Obamacare even exists, you have to understand that it's a piece (along with the 2005-6 mortgage scams, repos and TARP bailout) of a larger conspiracy to rob the middle class and drive them into obedient slavery just as LBJ did with his Great Society scam which pretty much crushed any chance minorities had to climb out of poverty and add power to the middle class. It should also be noted Obamacare is actually Reidcare, and was largely designed and pushed through by swamprat Harry Reid. It doesn't resemble anything Obama campaigned on at all.
