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opinion on the statements: "but that's probably why taxes are so high, and why gas is so expensive. It ends up, in my view, leveling everybody, and it's harder for any person trying to excel to get ahead. For those folks who want to work hard, it seems harder to get much extra for it." ? I actually happen to have actual facts and statistics. How about you? Just curious. Remember - you are also likely to be one who cires about the taxes here in the US, and how the "rich" and "successful" bear a disproportionate tax burden and sky high rates. Rather than have the carrot dangled in front of my face that I may one day get to join the "elite" millionaires (yeah, right - we are ALL going to be millionaires if we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and work hard - THAT'S a proven fact in this country!) and live the Horatio Alger-esque story, another side of the coin is that perhaps I may want to trade that gamble (which frequently has NO payoff - just smoke) for some stability in my (and my fellow citizen's ) life. Let's talk ACTUAL effective tax rates versus quality of life, and let's see if we can somehow quantify the 'working harder to attain more is more difficult over there statement'. Regarding gasoline prices, everyone knows that everywhere else in the world (not just Europe), gasoline is MUCH more expensive than in the US. Regardless of my affinity for motorsports, the fact is that gasoline is WAY underpriced in the US relative to the rest of the world. Obviously there is no arguing that if gas prices were more in line with the rest of the world's pricing, it would have a substantial impact on US society. Hmmmm - I personally might actually consider a more fuel efficient car for daily driving, and it may actually drive more and better mass transit options in urban areas. And, yes, I'd pay more for goods and services. I'd be happy to debate this topic with you on or off line. Unlike what you have indicated, I actually have been to more than one city in the Netherlands and one other country in Europe. It is QUITE enlightening to travel the world and see how things are outside of your own sandbox.
Props to Marshall for some insightful words. It sounds like the time abroad did you well. You should hit more of Germany (say, the Koln {Cologne} area to get a different flavor of the Autobahn). But, as you perceived, lane discipline is expected over there. Not quite the same over here, although I have had *some* positive experiences on the NJ Turnpike, amazingly. If you are ready for something uglier than the NJ Turnpike, try hitting the ring at Paris at rush hour, especially in a *big* rental. Then go from one side of town to the other. There is NO stopping to read maps, tweak navigation, or get your bearings, and the street names change about every 50 meters. Good stuff! 8-)
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