Originally Posted by chartreuse (Post 8348119)

We somehow survived 17.5% VAT in the UK, with council tax on top... ;)

Originally Posted by chartreuse (Post 8348119)

We somehow survived 17.5% VAT in the UK, with council tax on top... ;)

Originally Posted by hereandthere (Post 8348355)

THe pleasures of living in the most bankrupt nation on Earth.

Originally Posted by nettlebed (Post 8348404)

I think this might be a little over the top. But I'm glad I don't live there any more, I have to say...

Originally Posted by hereandthere (Post 8348409)

No, I think it's an economic fact, at least among the developed world. Its deficit is 13% of GDP.

Originally Posted by meauxna (Post 8348129)

I swear, I didn't do this on purpose, it was the first link I clicked after searching ONLY on her last name!
http://www.news8austin.com/content/h...267011&SecID=2

"So it is doubly ironic that the Debra Medina flap on Glenn Beck’s radio show buried some truly dismal news last week.
(that would be the flap where she agreed that 9/11 was a Bush conspiracy jobby. -m)

The Comptroller reported sales tax collections were down for 12 months in a row. But wait, it gets worse. Sales taxes were down by double digits for a record eighth month in a row. Never in the history of the Texas sales tax have we seen eight months of double digit declines.

The December report was the worst of the year a record 14.2 percent drop in the Christmas season.

Why should you care about a sales tax number? Well first, it is the easiest way to see how bad business really is. A 14 percent drop means 14 percent fewer sales in restaurants, stores and hotels.

Second, there are nearly one million Texans seeking work. It is very difficult to imagine robust hiring while businesses are doing so poorly.



So yeah, a sales tax still seems like a good place to put all your eggs?
Of course, my state doesn't have one at all, and we are also in deep doo doo.
The point is, don't put all the eggs in ANY one basket.

Originally Posted by zargof (Post 8348415)

No it isn't...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereport...k_britain.html

This is just Europe.

Originally Posted by hereandthere (Post 8348450)

According to multiple sources, including economywatch, UK budget was at 5.3% of GDP even back in 2008, and 2009 figures range from 9% to 13%, according to who you believe.

I don't about this woman on the Brown Broadcasting Corporation that you link to but either she's talking about something else or she's plain wrong.

Originally Posted by hereandthere (Post 8348450)

According to multiple sources, including economywatch, UK budget was at 5.3% of GDP even back in 2008, and 2009 figures range from 9% to 13%, according to who you believe.

I don't about this woman on the Brown Broadcasting Corporation that you link to but either she's talking about something else or she's plain wrong.

Originally Posted by meauxna (Post 8348162)

O rlly?
And how do they propose funding their lovely Defense budget? Those professional soldiers aren't going to work for free.

Originally Posted by cindyabs (Post 8348534)

So who's going to bailout Greece? The article I read mentioned that next on the horizon is Spain and Portugal.

Originally Posted by cindyabs (Post 8348421)

One of many points I'd like to mention to POTUS when he's here in 2 weeks time.

Originally Posted by meauxna (Post 8348664)

Are you having him over for tea? :)

Originally Posted by cindyabs (Post 8348674)

No, :lol: but I sure would like 5 minutes of his time.