We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]

Samizdata quote of the day

If big government were the key to economic success, France, with more than half of its GDP accounted for by government, would have rapid economic growth rather than an unemployment rate of 11 percent and negative growth. Yet France, Britain and the United States are demanding that the low-tax jurisdictions increase their taxes on businesses. They also demand more tax information sharing among countries. The officials of the G-8 assure us — as if they think we are all children or fools — that sensitive company and individual tax information will be kept confidential and not be used for political targeting, extortion, etc. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service had a reputation for being less corrupt and less incompetent than tax agencies in many other countries, which only illustrates how low the global standard is.

– Richard Rahn, the Tyranny of the Taxers

4 comments to Samizdata quote of the day

  • Laird

    “The U.S. Internal Revenue Service had a reputation for being less corrupt and less incompetent than tax agencies in many other countries, which only illustrates how low the global standard is.”

    Is that really true? The IRS is grasping, venal and vindictive, and scours the globe in search of income which it can somehow attribute to a US national and thus subject to tax. But is it really viewed by the rest of the world as being “less corrupt” than other taxing authorities?

  • Paul Marks

    Al Jazeera summed up the establishment view (not so odd as it sounds – they often do).

    “If people and companies paid the taxes they should [said their British reporter – a middle aged man, not some young kid fresh out of Marxist brainwashing at university] then their would be no more deficits, no need for austerity, and the Western nations could help the developing countries”.

    It is all false – as mad as the mist and snow, yet it is what the young (and not so young) are being taught.

    Do Obama and Cameron and the rest of these ……… really believe this nonsense?

    I doubt it – but they are pushing it.

    At least Barack Obama has a rational (if evil) reason for pushing it.

    Obama wants the rich to be hated – and he wants to push the idea of “world governance” (so there is nowhere for the evil “capitalists” to run to).

    But David Cameron.

    “call me Dave” is not a Marxist – he is just trying to be popular.

    He is pushing doctrines that can lead to the ruin (and the death) of both himself and his family (all wealthy types).

    He does not intend this – but he has decided a ride the tiger.

    And that shows bad judgement.

  • Tuscan Tony

    I watched an old Yes Minister last night and what passed for humour 3 decades ago now seems like a civil servants’ guidebook.

  • J.M. Heinrichs

    Laird
    It’s part of the package which includes labelling the US Senate as “the world’s greatest deliberative body”.

    Cheers