I realize the article is relevant as far as taxing the rich does not achieve the goal put forth by the rulers, but the article is from 2006. What has changed since then? Have the rates gone up even further? How many more people have fled France?
European taxation has high rates and lots of loopholes, I believe.
If a German inherits his father’s factory, no tax gets levied.
If a Brit inherits his father’s estate, no tax gets paid until and unless the estate gets sold.
If an American inherits his father’s factory or his father’s estate, the IRS awaits.
If a British CEO lives in a corporate mansion, HMRC looks the other way.
If an American handyman lives in an apartment complex apartment, the IRS has its hand extended.