>>>>>>>>>>Well put.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>The news yesterday said that the markets have not lost this much after a new president has taken office in over 90 years. But Obama has made it pretty clear that he hates Wall Street, so this really shouldn't come as any surprise.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>lol
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Dow heading for huge one-day gain - must be the effects of the new president ... :0
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>And as they chant at Football grounds "Its all gone quiet over there"
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I don't expect the silence to continue. The whining is going to go on for 4 years or 8 years, no matter what Obama does.
>>>>>
>>>>>I expect he'll just carry on manipulating the stock market on a day to day or even minute to minute basis. (probably for personal gain so he can invest in left wing groups seeking to overthrow the USA)
>>>>
>>>>Yeah, he is trying to turn them into something as bad, socialist and as uncivilised as Europe! Darn, somebody better stop him!
>>>>We have to stand up and fight, for our right - to gauge DowJones index and property prices as we want ! {g}
>>>>
>>>
>>>"Socialist" seems to be the current epithet of choice among American conservatives.
>>
>>Some of us have been using it for years...if the shoe fits and all.
>>
>>>You wonder how much they understand about European socialism.
>>
>>Can't speak for others, but for myself I understand enough to know that I despise the entire concept as it goes against everything history has taught us about drive, ambition and the ability to achieve.
>>
>>>Some of those countries are doing better than we are by about any measure.
>>
>>I'll bite. Name some European countries that are doing better than America by about any measure.
>
>Take your pick of the Scandinavian countries for starters.

They lose on punitive taxation alone.

Norway - Up to 48% individual + 14% payroll + Up to 25% VAT
Sweden - Up to 59% individual + 32.42% payroll + Up to 25% VAT
Denmark - Up to 63% individual + 25% VAT

Ancillary Note : The 2008 World Series of Poker champion was from Denmark. He won a $9.1 million for 1st place and pocketed less than a third after Denmark's tax collectors got through with him. In a comical aside, he tried to establish residency in London during the 3 month break in the tournament in order to avoid the outrageous confiscation of his winnings.

If you choose to include Finland - Up to 53% individual + Up to 22% VAT
If you choose to include Iceland...well they're bankrupt.