It's Official.....Brunswick is Junk

[amex]

...In many European countries, the average Joe has an official job where he works and pays very high income taxes and gets free health care and other bennies. And old Joe also has a side job where he makes the cash money he needs to live on and to enjoy his annual trip to the beach.

Is this where we are headed? Is it where we want to go?

Not really true!
Example Germany (3rd largest economy as of 2007): Health Insurance is MANDATORY if you are employed (W 2) and don't make more than 47.250,00 € (64.800 USD) per year. That means it will be automatically taken out of your pay check. The current rate is 7.9 %. The employer pays 7%. (data is from 2006). If you make more than that, health insurance becomes voluntary. You can use a privat insurance.
Dental is included. You must have your teeth cleaned twice a year to enjoy full benefit in case you need crowns. You also must were a seat belt in the car in case you get into a car accident and end up in a hospital. No seat belt, the insurance could ask you for money back for their medical bills. (Guess how high the percentage is in Germany of drivers AND passengers wearing sea belts.)

Administrative costs per insured customer is 159,69 € as of 2005. Compare that with 23 % for individual insurance in the US.

 

[keokie]

Wow Amex, Thanks for sharing. That is a great reminder of how lucky we are to live in America. I can't imagine the government having that kind of control over my life. This reminds me of the old saying, "Those who would trade freedom for security will get neither."

 

[spimik]

Thanks Matt, I will look into it.

I know what we can do, we can ship all the tax loving liberals to Canada since it's already in place there, and leave America to the "Work a day, get paid a day" people. Plenty of trees in Canada to hug. I hear the dental care is top notch too.

I feel like sending you a picture of me with my arms wrapped around a big old maple tree with a mile wide smile on my face that shows off my perfect teeth.

Canada is doing just fine at the moment Mike. Perhaps you should book a dentist appointment and then plant a tree. It might help your economy.