"Higgs Boson" wrote
I just came back from 16 days in Italy. I spent some time sipping Ouzo
with a University professor. He pays about 45% of his income in taxes,
as
do most Italians. Socialism is not cheap.

"Most" Italians are experienced tax-evaders when they can get away
with it. But they pale before Greece, which is so corrupt that almost
nobody pays taxes. Everything is done by bribery. They lied their way
into the European Union. The paperwork was done by Goldman Sachs.
Now there's a good candidate for anti-Christ! How long will hard-
working Germany continue to prop up these goniffs?

HB

Experienced? It is the national sport with virtually 100% participation.
I always ask about discounts for paying cash and I'm often accommodated
rather well.

Of there income, 15% is for healthcare. Over here (US) that amounts to
about a household income of $65000 to come out to typical married couple
premiums. Lower incomes fare better in that respect, higher incomes
subsidize.