I don’t think this phrase has ever been uttered before…
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As much as rich people like to whine about it the US has among the lowest taxes in the first world (factoring out the extremes like Singapore and Hong Kong). The US is #32 out of the 38 OECD countries, in fact. Very low. Here in Japan it is much higher, top marginal rate is 55% (compared to 37% in the US).
But yeah California almost takes it up to European levels 
And within the US, California is #4 on the highest overall tax burden ranking, beaten out by Hawaii, New York, Vermont.
Ah taxes. The thing we hate paying but fund education, healthcare, welfare, social services, what have the Romans ever done for us etc.
My brother lives in Sweden @howard with I think about a 55% marginal rate.
But ‘free’ healthcare, education up to and including university for his daughters etc.
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100% agree. Every word. I love my partially nationalized healthcare here. Japan actually has a cool hybrid model.
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Linux
$CURRENT_YEAR is the year of the Linux Desktop. Linux fans have been saying this for many, many years.
Well technically a lie as I love linux and yet know it will never be fully viable to replace Windows or MacOS. Despite how hard Apple is trying to fail with Tahoe.
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What I mean: somehow software seems to be tax free when I set my VPN to California or give an LA address…
I also pay up to 50% taxes and I absolutely support this, as I would not only support “healthcare, education up to and including university” and other things for my (non existent) daughters, but for the daughters (and sons) of others.
As long as the tax system is a way where the “richer” people (like me for a long time - not now, unfortunately) support the poorer and less privileged people, it’s ok for me.
Living in a society should be about solidarity…
A very Christian thought, I admit:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40
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Been there, done that - it’s not for the “common” user, especially when he/she wants to to “special” things.
Reluctantly, I remain with Windows/Android. For the time being…
ITS FINALLY HAPPENING BOYS!!
Highly unlikely. 7.25% sales tax minimum, up to 10.5% in some districts. However it is based on your home address.
Really: often I pay 19% when in Germany, 0% when in LA…
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Yeah so the difference is that US retail sites are not legally required to charge sales taxes outside of US jurisdiction. You could set your VPN to connect to rural Arkansas (basically the US version of the Netherlands - bigly in to french fries) and it would be the same.
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I tried setting to other states, a few years ago. Can’t remember which one it was, but some states had tax, some did not.
So now, I use a VPN set to California. Sometimes with an LA address. Even then, some vendors check the PayPal address. I switch to Amazon pay with my US account, if possible. Often this is not offered.
So then I use a VPN set Turkey, India or Ukraine. One of those options always works.
Also, often the price depends on currency. I can buy the product in German mode, using € or in US mode, using $. For a software that costs 100€ it will be $100. And as the dollar is currently only play money, it saves costs.
lol! I know people in rural Arkansas and they would absolutely be offended by this. I suspect the reverse is true as well!
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A bit back to the original topic: I’m giving Ubuntu Studio a shot right now. Not as user friendly as Mint, but the “Studio” tools definitely work a bit better on it (shocking as it was designed around it, right?). Understanding JACK is the key regarding DAW inputs and outputs. Got a recording of my son playing his edrum kit and me on my bass together to Seven Nation Army which he was practicing for his drum lessons. USB MIDI out from his kit controller and me from my Katana Go (I wasn’t dragging my Katana 210 down to the basement). Fun times.
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Is Arkansas not that state that is not Louisiana but also not Missouri?
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We have a few of those.
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Pretty much! They’d balk at being compared to “those commie socialists”.
Yay! Extra points for that! Most us of over here are “commie socialists”, according to US definition 
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