Always suspected my square headed kin back in the old country weren't too bright, now this and giving B.O. that award just proves it.
Posted on 10/22/2009 7:23:09 PM PDT by Saije
It's the moment nosy Norwegian neighbors have been waiting for — the release of official records showing the annual income and overall wealth of nearly every taxpayer in the Scandinavian country.
In a move that would be unthinkable elsewhere, tax authorities in Norway have issued the "skatteliste," or "tax list," for 2008 to the media under a law designed to uphold the country's tradition of transparency.
It's Norwegians' way of keeping up with the Johansens — from fishermen on the western fjords and Sami reindeer herders in the north to members of the committee that awarded President Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize.
To non-Scandinavians, it would seem to be a gross violation of privacy.
The tax list stirs up a media frenzy, with splashy headlines revealing oil-rich Norway's wealthiest man, woman and celebrity couple.
The data shows that former cross-country skiing great Bjoern Daehlie, who has eight Olympic gold medals, also has plenty of cash — 29.3 million kroner ($5.4 million).
***
Defenders of the system say it enhances transparency, deemed essential for an open democracy.
"Isn't this how a social democracy ought to work, with openness, transparency and social equality as ideals?" columnist Jan Omdahl wrote in the tabloid Dagbladet. He acknowledged, however, that many treat the list like "tax porno" — furtively checking the income of neighbors or co-workers.
Critics say the list is actually a threat to society.
"What each Norwegian earns and what you have in wealth is a private matter between the taxpayer and the government," said Jon Stordrange, director of the Norwegian Taxpayer's Association.
Besides providing criminals with a useful tool to find prime targets, he said the list generates playground taunts of my-dad-is-richer-than-your-dad.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
How else are you supposed to know whom to target next with your votes?
Federal employees, even your friendly neighborhood letter carrier or the handicapped GS2 maintenance guy who sweeps the steps in the closest federal courthouse, are subject to public scrutiny when it comes to their income.
Sometime people will come to their senses and realize that it's not your rank and file federal workers whose paychecks are the true danger to America, but instead it's the Congress that bears a greater threat.
I am soooo glad my grandparents came to America in 1903...and so glad that their children and all of their grandchildren and almost all of their great grand children are conservatives.
I am soooo glad my grandparents came to America in 1903...and so glad that their children and all of their grandchildren and almost all of their great grand children are conservatives.
Well, I’m doubly glad.
The government has no business doing this. Liberals worship Scandinavia, but those countries have lots of dumb policies.
There was a story in our paper not to long ago about a man getting public assistance who drives a jag... he wanted to "look good" for the "girls". And how many times do you pass one of these paycheck advance places and notice that most of the people who are totally broke are driving new cars?
Illusion over substance.
Putting the truth out there might make people more comfortable... I wonder what the "one up" sales are like in Norway...
There was a story in our paper not to long ago about a man getting public assistance who drives a jag... he wanted to "look good" for the "girls". And how many times do you pass one of these paycheck advance places and notice that most of the people who are totally broke are driving new cars?
Illusion over substance.
Putting the truth out there might make people more comfortable... I wonder what the "one up" sales are like in Norway...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.