USA falls from 10th in the world to 17th in taxes as a part of GDP!

Taxes in Developed Nations Reach 36% of Gross Domestic Product - New York Times: "“There is some evidence that countries with higher tax-to-G.D.P. ratios grow somewhat slower and have lower G.D.P. per head, controlling for other factors, but this is not a very clear relationship,” he said. As an example, he cited Sweden, which “has the highest tax-to-G.D.P. ratio in the O.E.C.D., just over 50 percent, and yet it is one of the O.E.C.D. countries with the strongest economic performance over the past 20 years or so.” That example, he said, showed that “a lot depends on how this money is spent.” “Governments can spend money for all sorts of different purposes — they can spend in ways that encourage economic growth, improve the infrastructure, but there are obviously ways of government spending that does not promote growth,” Mr. Heady said."

And of course in the USA we get to spend all that money we save on the chinese debt, healthcare, and education. What a deal!

And of course, at the same time, lil Bush is vetoing the child healthcare bill because we can not afford it!

Health Deal Sought After Veto Upheld - Politics on The Huffington Post: "The Democratic-controlled House failed on Thursday to override President Bush's veto of a politically popular children's health bill, and the White House instantly called for compromise talks on a replacement. 'As long as the bottom line is that 10 million children are covered. That's non-negotiable,' responded Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. She pledged that new legislation would be ready within two weeks, and within hours, key lawmakers met to consider changes in the vetoed measure. The maneuvering followed a 273-156 vote that left supporters 13 short of the two-thirds majority needed to prevail in a bruising veto struggle between congressional Democrats and a politically weakened Republican president."

Meanwhile in Seattle: "Newly displayed at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, the Leif Erikson statue reminds us of those brave though seemingly sullen souls who fled Norway so many years ago. Of course, it should be pointed out that they fled what today is the highest-rated, most-livable country in the world."