“Hiding in Communist Russia or Marxist Brazil”
Huh? Russia is far more of a capitalist country than we are now so this statement is just silly.
As far as heads rolling, get serious. Heads never roll for those in charge. Things will continue as before, sure they may come out with some window dressing but that’s about it.
You consider Russia a “Capitalist” Nation even after Putin has disbanded the media?
“Communist Russia”?
Russia, with its 15% marginal income tax rate for individuals and 24% for corporations is less statist on this very important metric than the US. The US government taxes individuals with a 35%+ marginal income tax and 35% for corporations, and still runs up massive deficits and prints money with abandon.
However, there are other metrics compiled by the Fraser Institute on economic freedom. They rigorously compile an index based upon objective metrics related to size of government, legal system and property rights, sound money, freedom to trade internationally, and regulation.
The US, which was #2 back in the ‘90s, has slipped to the #17 position (between Estonia and Cyprus). Russia is #101 out of 152.
Personally, I think Fraser underestimates the US decline in economic freedom, but their method is data driven. And the trend for the US is really, really bad. Economic freedom is on the rise in world at large. From 1990 to 2011 Russia’s score went from 5.02 to 7.38 out of 10. The US went from 8.35 to 7.74.
http://www.freetheworld.com/release.html