It's weird that people are freaking out over a 19- 40% tax rate. Or am I missing something?
If you figure that the average American family income in my area is $48,000 per year, gross (this is the combined income for a family of four), then take away 20% of the gross amount for federal, state and local income tax and social security/disability tax. Then minus the monthly 401K retirement fund of 9% of gross (there are no pensions anymore, or rarely are, so most people have to fund their own retirement), then the monthly fee of $300 for family health insurance deducted, it works out to about the same.
If they get universal health care and their housing and utilities and food cost less there (I'd bet they do), they may actually come out ahead.
But since I don't know what they pay in property tax or housing, utilities and food costs it's hard for me to say if things are equivalent or not.
In my example, above, it equals approx $6700 per person annual income, after taxes, to pay for housing, food, clothing, transportation, insurance, education, etc.
Average home cost in our area is $200,000. With 20% down plus a 6.5%, 20-year mortgage; it's possible for most people to buy a home if both mom and dad work fulltime, BUT the average first-time home buyer in our area is age 35, pays only 10-15% down and takes out a 30 year mortgage. The average property tax is $500 per month for a 1/2 acre property with a home of that value sitting on it. It costs $120 per month to insure the house. Water and sewer fees average $150/mo, electric $100/mo ($200 in summer), gas is $100/mo ($200 in winter), trash fee is $30/mo, phone is $40, basic cable tv is $40 (expanded or digital can be $70), internet is $25 (for dial up, broadband can be $60), basic cell phone is $40.
Cars cost $16,000 average and gas is $2.80/gallon. Insurance is $100 per month for 2 cars. We have no public transport from where I live to the city, 30 mins away. You have to drive; the fastest way requires you to pay a road toll coming and going of $2.00 each way per car daily and it costs us $180 per month to park one car downtown.
A front-load washer and the matching dryer cost $1000. A TV $400. A computer $1000. A box of name brand cereal is almost $4.00.
Milk costs $3.22/gallon. Jeans cost $30 and a man's white dress shirt costs about $60. Shoes for a kid, age 4, cost about $20 per pair. Ground hamburger is $3.00 per lb and 5 thin, fatty pork chops with bones in cost about $7.00. A bag of apples is $4.00. Red bell peppers cost $3.00 EACH! 12 cans of Coke in 8 oz cans is $3.99. McDonald's costs $4.00 for an adult meal (no wonder we eat so much of that junk). Plus 6% state sales tax for each purchase, of course!
How does this compare to Poland? I know the salaries here are higher, but so are the costs of daily living and housing. And we don't have national or universal health insurance/care.
The average state college costs $3000 per quarter (3 quarters per average school year)and the average private college costs $40,000 per year. Room and board, books and fees are extra.
Anyone know how this compares?
