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Boiling Over in Paris: Anger at a tax hike has turned into violence and mayhem.
City Journal ^ | December 3, 2018 | Theodore Dalrymple

Posted on 12/06/2018 5:37:33 AM PST by reaganaut1

...

It is likely that the economic ideas of the Yellow Vests are primitive and driven by resentment. Macron has suppressed the capital tax on financial assets, which had probably reduced overall tax receipts by driving rich people from France; but in conjunction with an increased tax on the consumption of a vital commodity, he gives the impression (not helped by the fact that he once worked in finance) that he unduly favors the rich at the expense of the poor.

Many people I know want six impossible things before breakfast. They clearly see that high taxes on individuals and enterprises, as well as the burden of regulation, inhibit economic activity; at the same time, they demand that state-funded public services and subsidies such as Social Security should not be reduced. The only way of squaring this circle, other than by borrowing, is by raising taxes. Thus, taxes on capital, already proved ineffective because those who would pay them in any quantity soon decamp to friendlier tax climes, are still the solution that most favor. It is perhaps no coincidence that the renowned economist, Thomas Piketty, who proposed a worldwide tax on capital, should be French. Such a tax would close the escape route of the rich French and enable the government to shear them like sheep.

The underlying problem in France is the same one faced by many countries, some to an even greater extent: namely of budgets, both public and private, that are never balanced, and of the consumption of more than is produced. Après nous, le déluge is not so much a cynical bon mot as an economic policy.

Macron was pelted with eggs as he spoke at the site of the riots once they had died down.

(Excerpt) Read more at city-journal.org ...


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: france; gastax; macron; protests; riots; taxes; yellowvests
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To: central_va

Is that all? It regularly goes up to $12 or even nudges $14. Prime rib (because Christmas & New Year’s) was $12 at Sam’s yesterday. I did not buy any meat at Aldi’s, as it was too high.

However, if you shop regularly (which I admit is a pain) and keep a stock of your family’s basics on hand, you can find mark-downs even in meat. It varies by store and the calendar, both weekly and seasonal.

Yesterday, I managed a short shop that included 3 stores and managed to get almost everything at some savings. Small roasting chickens (4.5 lbs ea) at .90/lb and 80/20 ground beef, (just fine for spaghetti/chili)for well under 3#/lb included. There were chicken thighs for .80/lb, but I didn’t need any. My husband hates having to visit multiple stores, but that is the reality.

If you must shop to fill an empty larder every week, the cost will be exorbitant. Inflation is real, but gas has declined, so that evens it out a bit.

I see large herds of beef cattle around me. I hear there are frozen stocks of meat being kept off the market. I don’t see why meat is so high when corn is so low.


41 posted on 12/06/2018 8:05:36 AM PST by reformedliberal
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To: reformedliberal

I shop at the Food Ghetto(Lion). So I guess it is skewed down a little. I have no idea how high the price of beef is at a real store. I can’t afford the ghetto price.


42 posted on 12/06/2018 8:46:24 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: reaganaut1

Bookmark


43 posted on 12/06/2018 9:02:41 AM PST by aquila48
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To: LostInBayport

This is why I moved to KY from Seattle in 2011. I turn 66 in 2020. My annual property taxes are around a monthly car payment on a Camry, and beginning next year (I’ll be 65) they will drop to the monthly car payment for a Corolla. That’s because at 65 you get a significant reduction. And this is for 32 spectacular acres, a fairly new (10 years old) house and a very nice and large barn.

Meanwhile, SS income is not taxed - at all - in this state and having earned my income on which it’s based in the fairly lucrative Seattle IT business, I’m eligible for close to the maximum. You can live really comfortably on that, especially if you pay off the real estate and your wife gets half again what you get.


44 posted on 12/06/2018 9:21:30 AM PST by cuban leaf
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To: allendale
IMHO there would be a high correlation with human misery and a high Leftist index.

You can use population density as a general proxy for a leftist index. The higher the density the more the leftism, which is evidence of causation. You can't concentrate nature's most deadly creature into a small area and expect good results.

45 posted on 12/06/2018 9:37:24 AM PST by Reeses (A journey of a thousand miles begins with a government pat down.)
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To: reaganaut1

If anybody really believes this whole thing is about taxes, I have some bridges to sell you.


46 posted on 12/06/2018 1:52:30 PM PST by wastedyears (The left would kill every single one of us and our families if they knew they could get away with it)
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To: central_va

What Dalrymple is saying is that if you want the services you’ve come to expect, you’ll have to pay higher taxes for them. Macron is imposing a CARBON tax, which gives NOTHING back to the people; ie, it’s not a service.


47 posted on 12/06/2018 7:04:27 PM PST by Amberdawn
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To: cuban leaf
That’s one reason a cowboy in the American west in the 19th century earned an average of $40 a month (+ room and board) and did just fine.

That 19th Century $40 was two ounces of gold, which at current prices is $2,476.00

Pay the average modern person that, on top of free room and board, and he will consider himself doing OK too.

48 posted on 12/07/2018 4:36:01 AM PST by PapaBear3625 ("Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." -- Voltaire)
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To: PapaBear3625

And that right there is the problem. Fiat money.


49 posted on 12/07/2018 5:17:48 AM PST by cuban leaf
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To: reformedliberal

Sam’s prices must be regional since the prime rib around Richmond area varies between 7 to 10 for choice...though you will see near 12 for prime and even higher for beef tenderloin.


50 posted on 12/08/2018 3:55:47 AM PST by mdmathis6
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To: mdmathis6

It does seem to vary a lot.


51 posted on 12/08/2018 5:34:30 AM PST by reformedliberal
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