My wife has a little Socialist (LS) working for her. The LS was going off on how wonderful it is that in Europe they have free college. My wife pointed out that taxes pay for it, but the LS insisted that is preferable to a heavy student debt. (The LS has a MS degree and is in debt BTW) The LS then went on to talk about the higher standard of living in Europe. Having lived in Europe my wife knows all about the taxes, but wanted real numbers.
I went to the Wiki page titled List of Countries By Average, where they cite the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development wage.
The LS's beloved France has a gross income, adjusted to Dollars, of $39,913. By the time they are taxed it comes out to a disposable income of $22,718. Part of the difference is of course for a free college education. A free college education that they will pay for, through their taxes, for the rest of their lives.
Oh. And the US? We have the highest gross income at $56,067 and a disposable income of $45,582, which brings us in at 4th, among countries studied.
Your wife’s LS should have a look at this. France ain’t so great after all.
http://www.cbn.com/tv/3255110732001