Doesn't the union provide income during the strike? — Benkei

In this specific case, no. The union is not able to provide incomes. It is a situation on the edge.

By the way, today is Kurosawa's 25th anniversary of his death. It is totally a destiny coincidence that we are talking about him today.

By the spring of 1998, the director was largely confined to bed in his home at Setagaya in Tokyo, spending his time listening to music and watching television. On September 6, 1998, Kurosawa passed away after a stroke. He was 88. The Life of Akira Kurosawa – Part 12: Death and posthumous works (1998)

Decades ahead of his time. Still the best imo — I like sushi

Exactly. I couldn't have said it better. I personally think that everything about Kurosawa was ahead of his time: screen, aesthetics, photographs, scenario, actors, screenwriting, etc. What a talent, and most importantly, a humbled wise person.

Can't wait to hear proposals on how government services should be paid for. — LuckyR

Didn't you read the arguments provided at least? :roll:
The exchange between ssu and NOS is interesting, and we can learn a lot.

On the other hand, keep in mind that my intention in this thread is not to undermine the taxation itself. But trying to understand why some states manage public budget better than another, and explain that paying "high" taxes doesn't always provide better public services.

But recipients of welfare or employment insurance are taxed on what they receive from the government as if it was a wage and as if it wasn't already tax revenue. — NOS4A2

Yes, it's as it is. The unemployment subsidies are taxed here as "Income taxes". It is one of the main paradoxes and stupidities that I hardly can understand about the system. Frankly, I think the government is kidding us... You consider it as corrupt, but I see it as senseless.

but here government employees are taxed just like any other private employee. So a tax dollar might find itself in the wage of one over-payed government worker, but then that money is taxed again and goes right back into government coffers. If it was you or me doing that it would be skimming, but when the government does it it is just how we pay for services. This is why the government not only has the monopoly on violence, but also the monopoly on crime. — NOS4A2

I agree, here in Spain it happens exactly as you explained. It is like a vicious circle. I'm not sure if this is the case in your country as well: Whenever a citizen receives compensation, they must pay the tax corresponding to the amount.

For example: I gained 100.000 € playing lotto. Well, I don't perceive those 100K entirely. I must apply a taxation because according to our laws this a benefit to be shared. I end up perceiving around 89K or 91K, the rest goes to the public budget. The main paradox, as NOS pointed out, is that this happens with public compensations too.

I perceive the same vicious scheme. The government gives you a sum, but it forces you to pay taxes to recover it.

The reason classic liberals argue for a smaller state is because they assume people can take care of themselves, without the need for state coercion. — Tzeentch

I think the we all should take care more about ourselves. The State is not our parents, and despite that maybe such functionality is only available in small countries, we should expect more individual behaviour and responsibility.

I can take as granted that the Police and Defense are needed to be managed by a public administration. But, transportation and expenditure (for example), could have an equilibrium of both private and public sectors.

I think we should differentiate on Jesus who comes from the Gospel and Jesus of Nazareth.

The role of Jesus and Christianity itself in the Bible is a metaphorical invention by Paul and John. There is not historical evidence that backs up the warrior character of this movement, but it is obvious that was a pacific revolt against Romans. Nonetheless, after Christianity is established as a rigid system it needs to be defended at all costs. I guess this is why we see some Gospels about this nature around the Bible.

On the other hand, Jesus of Nazareth (the "real" Jesus, or at least his human form) was clearly a pacifist. Luke 23:34 "Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they're doing...'"

That redemption came when Jesus was dying crucified on the cross. I personally believe that it was his real aim. Avoiding violence and showing the other cheek. But, it is evident that there is a controversial issue regarding what happened and then what appears in the Gospels. I guess this is why you find it contradictory.

Interesting points.

Note that I didn't deny the existence and validity of taxation. It is obvious that our nations/governments need to collect to provide the basics. This is not something new, and even the Roman Empire already worked with those. But the act of taxation itself is complex. It is not a perfect machine where you put a lot of money into the public budget and then you get quality services. This doesn't work in every state, sadly. It is worthy to look at East European countries. Despite the fact that they are making a big effort regarding tax policies, the public administration itself is still opaque, corrupt and the use of bribes is very common. So, even though taxation is a good tool to provide public services, it cannot be applied to every country. You cannot go to Lebanon and say: "hey if you you promote taxation maybe your country's functionality wouldn't be too backwards"

On the other hand, what is the real amount of high taxes? Can all the employees or businessmen bear such big taxation?
Let me explain myself: The incomes here in Spain are pretty low and maybe one of the lowest among the EU members. Yet, the Income Tax is pretty high to be honest... 19 % of an annual income of 12.450 € goes to taxes. From 35,200 euros to 59,999 euros, a 37 %. From 60,000 euros to 299,999 euros, a 45 %. 300,000 euros and above, a 47 %. According to these facts, it is clear that I live in a country that doesn't like rich people or families with decent salaries. I call this expropriation. (Note that I only referred to Income tax but there are a lot of different types obviously).

Although I agree with your formula and argument of high taxes + zero or low corruption + competent + careful spending, these are difficult to apply in every EU member. I fully believe that this works in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, but not here. It is sarcastic when our Treasury Ministry says that rich people should make a plus effort in this difficult times of public expenditure. Are we so? We are not in a position to demand high demands when our economy is fragile.

We have an average of 42 % tax pressure on our incomes and I do not know where all the profits go.
Oh yes... We are a highly-debted country because of the incompetence of our politicians. We are literally forced to pay taxes to reduce the debt, not for better services.

I agree.

I understand that this debate is far from the legal frames. In the EU, it is completely allowed to change and move the HQ to any country of the Euro zone. Some states have lower corporate taxes, others high. I fully respect it. Who am I to say to Hungary or Ireland to switch their tax policies as well as Germany or Spain? It is true that one of the main aims of the European Commission is to reach a common tax policy, but this will be one of the toughest tasks to be done. I am even skeptical and I do not think that is available. Here also pops up the classical breach between north and south. If we say:"hey let's raise the Corporation Tax to collect more and expend," maybe the north-centre countries would say: "here we have the Mediterranean countries spending a lot instead of managing the budget wisely."

The debate will still be there. Which I find fascinating and I do not understand why the people of my age (millennials', I am 26) do not care that much when it is clearly a topic that we have to focus on.

On the other hand, I do not know if tax havens are ethical, but I understand that it is the only way to survive in globalisation. What can Andorra or Bahamas do in a complex system of transactions? They need to be attractive to attach foreign investment. But, to be honest, I do not consider them a real problem because they are tiny territories, so it is very easy to be a tax haven with small population groups. The real question is how to manage the public budget when there are millions and millions of people in the same nation.

I don't think we would have a big impact if we block transactions and international market in Andorra as well as our governments have done with Russia.

I watched a film of master Akira Kurosawa this afternoon.

After watching it, I suddenly reminded of an excellent footage where Kurosawa talks about the skill that every writer should have: patience.

If you already didn't see it, I fully recommend you to do so.

I am watching Sanjuro. It is the sequel of Yojimbo. You know I love samurai films. :cool:

I think it is all about perspective. Here in Europe we consider Biden as a conservative, but more moderate than the average Republican candidate. Honestly, I think that socialism or "Neo-Marxism" don't exist in the U.S. at all, either ever existed. Your governments have always been the main image of the free market and capitalism, so it is your country. Sometimes the state as a public guarantee cares more than others, but in overall, the American state is only reliable on defence and military matters. The rest of the issues which every state has, are delegated to the free will of enterprises.

Is Biden against NATO? No.
Is Biden against free market? No.
Is Baden in favour of more State intervention? No.

That's how a real communist should act, and we have plenty of those in the European Parliaments. For instance, in Spain our politicians are having a crucial debate on expropriation of Oil and Gas companies to have a public management in the future. I think this is impossible to be in Biden's mind.

Is there evidence or is that most things people spread nowadays misinformation? — Hailey

Sadly, it is the latter.

Many Chinese think socialism is good. But no Chinese would think Biden is a communist. — Hailey

Neither we. But it is important that you also point out that Chinese society doesn't see Biden that way because some media and Trump supporters consider Biden a communist as well as Pol Pot.

Ummm....Romania is part of the EU. It and Bulgaria have been EU members since 2007. What Romania isn't is part of the Schengen treaty and in the Euro-zone. — ssu

I apologise. I mixed up Schengen Treaty and Euro-zone with the European Union. There are many organisms that I tend to confuse which countries are part of all of them, and others just in some.

I guess the main issue regarding the ban to Romania of joining the Schengen Treaty is related to immigration then.

With corporate taxes and wealth taxes one has to understand that money can move around easily and if these taxes are really punitive (let's say 75% to 90% tax on profit), people simply won't sell and wait for the taxes to be lowered while corporations can also postpone profits. — ssu

Exactly.

There is another problem with punitive Corporation Tax: companies leaving out the country where they were established. Sooner or later, if they see that taxation is heavy, they would establish their quarters in a more attractive country regarding the Tax policies. On this specific issue, there is also a huge competition among the states which some attract foreign investment while others don't.
We can assume that the countries with punitive taxation have the risk of "losing" GDP if their companies or entrepreneurs decide to fly out to a country with low taxes.

Is this ethical? To "steal" the headquarters of companies of some countries because the taxes are low? There is always this kind of debate...

Just having the same Constitution doesn't make countries similar. — ssu

I agree, but I put Romania and Moldova as examples because they want to be part of the European Union and one of the main characteristics of this community is trying to work together in the same direction. Despite that those states are doing their best to "behave" like an EU member, it is clear that the problem is deeper than we tend to think regarding East European countries.
I think it is fascinating how European Central Bank and European Commission rule on very different countries. When they raise Euro area bank interest, it produces effects to each of 27 members, but the results in the long run are clearly different. Over the course of just over a year, the ECB has increased rates from -0.5% to 3.75% in order to combat a surge in inflation. Yet, this Interest Rate policy will affect each state differently. It is very complex to achieve a common path.

That picture is very interesting. Because it assume's the opposite of what you're saying (if I understood you correctly). — ssu

I know I explained myself with an amount of complexity. I tried to meant that direct taxes (income and corporate ones) are high in Ireland while indirect (property and consumption tax) are low. Maybe this is a good equilibrium and I think that Ireland has been increasing its development since the big crisis of 2008, where the so called "P.I.G.S" suffered a lot. Ireland is no longer part of this club.

Note: I just realised that the image I posted above has a title that says which tax affects economic growth the most? I understand know why you didn't understand me. I didn't put the title and of course I disagree with the title itself. I guess I didn't see it when I downloaded the picture to post it here.

And aren't in Ireland corporate taxes low, actually? It's like 12,5% whereas in my country the similar tax rate is 20%and in Germany 29,8%. Only Hungary has a lower corporate tax rate in Europe (9%) than Ireland. — ssu

Exactly. The Corporate Tax Rate in European Union stands at 21.30 percent. Ireland Corporate Tax Rate is 12 % that we should not consider it as "low". It is not equal the amount of collection of Corporate Tax Rate on Germany than in Ireland. Different purchasing power.

What makes it interesting is that consumption taxes are the ones that hurt people who are poorer starting from the fact that everybody has to eat and the amount needed doesn't actually differ. Hence consumption taxes, VAT taxes etc. hit the poorer and poorest people. — ssu

I agree. I think VAT is one of the most complex to put in practice. Here in Spain is 21 %, that it is similar to most of the EU members. While in Hungary, they hold the higher percentage with 27 % paradoxically. They are just doing the opposite of why I try to defend with my arguments. :lol:

Listening to this classic again... I feel nostalgic.

Alright Haley, it is OK. I understand that this topic is not everyone's cup of tea. Some even see it as boring and are not interested in public affairs. :razz:

ssu, I appreciate your answer and contribution to my thread.

On the other hand, I agree that Baltic states and Eastern European countries are good examples regarding this topic. A few months ago, I read a paper calledReform and its Firm-Level Effects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia by John E. Anderson. Sadly, one of them is that despite of having reforms on taxation this doesn't lead necessarily to a "fairer" country. Culture depends a lot on this issue and some states as Romania or Moldova are facing this problem which they drag since the Soviet era. It is very common the use of bribes on whatever public administration activities. So, it is a solution that depends more on cultural matters than tax policies.
Austria and Netherlands ban Romania to join EU. We do not really know the aims of these countries in their refuse, but I guess the opacity of their collection is one of them...

It's all about curbing the "excesses of capitalism", yes. Yet, I want to highlight Ireland as a good example of equilibrium. Personal Income Taxes and Corporate Taxes are high, but consumption and property (where the use of wealth really goes) are low. I think this is they key of a successful tax policy.

I'd use the term, and encourage them to use it, so the child can see how it is used. — Banno

How would you use those terms if you do not know their definition? I think it is not possible to encourage them if you do not understand it, and to understand those terms you need previously a basic definition of each.

For example: let's say I have to write an essay on art. But how, if I do not know the definitions of "perception" or "aesthetics" (for example) previously?

Maybe I am understanding you wrongly. But it seems that you see the words just as random elements and avoiding their syntax functionality.

Alright! Thanks for your analysis. Appreciate it.

Popular Hits of the Showa Era by Ryu Murikami — Manuel

It sounds so interesting! How is it? Do you like it?

It happens to me more than one time. What I have discovered is that this only happens when I write long posts. If the reply is short, it doesn't appear in the drafts again.

On the other hand, I think you are right, and it is a glitch. But on my phone, because when I use TPF on a PC, nothing happens at all.

I am Interested in what @Hailey and @guanyun can explain to us regarding Chinese tax system. Please, if you do not mind, and only when you were able to do so, I would like to know how taxes work in your country.

I found out the following information on Chinese tax policy: Taxes provide the most important revenue source for the Government of the People's Republic of China. Tax is a key component of macro-economic policy, and greatly affects China's economic and social development. With the changes made since the 1994 tax reform, China has sought to set up a streamlined tax system geared to a socialist market economy.

But the main paper is critized for not being clear regarding citation style and needs more verification.

I would be very appreciated if you can share with us your perspective on Chinese tax system.

We fear what we said online might have real life consequences — Hailey

I wish you will no have trouble.

I'd say Mao is someone special to Chinese. — Hailey

Interesting. I thought something similar regarding Mao. It is true that China has changed a lot since then, but he is the main image of the revolution in 1949 (sorry if I miss some dates). He is even regarded as one of the most important and influential individuals in the twentieth century.

One anecdote: I have Chinese neighbours in my building and one day they invited me to his home to fix something (I think a computer). I remember that when I entered his saloon, there was a big portrait of Mao. I didn't consider them "communist" back then nor now. I just thought how important is Mao in Chinese culture and citizens. He is a big part of your history.

The Tattooer, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki.

Hello Hailey! I appreciate your perspective on Xi Jinping. Welcome to the forum, I wish you the best flowing around.

Coming back to Xi. I think that every leader has his ups and downs, and governing a big nation as China would be one of the most difficult tasks for a human. If it is nearly impossible to govern Spain when it is an unknown subject on the international arena, I can't imagine China.

Just to clarify what I tended to understand when I debated with Guan yuan: I was wondering if Xi will be remembered as one of the main artificers of Chinese modern history, as well as Deng Xiaoping or Mao. Nevertheless, Guan said to me that Mao's doctrine is rarely seen in nowadays and China is completely different.

I know that there are (or were) other leaders to consider. But to be honest, most of them are unknown in the Western media. I do not know if it is because we have trouble understanding you or just because they weren't charismatic enough.
This issue also happens in other Asian countries, like Japan, for instance. Shinzō Abe was a notable leader and very charismatic, but his successors are rarely unknown unless you are interested in Japan. This is why - I guess - this is more about a cultural thing rather than a political one. I live in Spain and everything is related to the European Union. Maybe your context is related to China and East Asia.

Perhaps reality can only be accepted once one has attained sufficient enlightenments. — Kevin Tan

I mean the way that everything that exists in existence is. — Kevin Tan

Paradoxically, approaching to the truth objectively makes us gets far-away from happiness itself. This is due to the fact that happiness is subjective and could "crash" with the objective concept of reality.

Does anyone know a non-commercial listing of books? — Vera Mont

Vera, try this one: https://www.abebooks.com/canada/?cm_sp=Ftr-_-Home-_-sites7?

I wish it fits what you are looking for!

What was the key in all that: writing. By writing I was clarifying my thoughts by putting them down, in front of me, face them, evaluating them, distilling them, making them solid. — Alkis Piskas

Good point, Alkis. As always, you have nailed it. It is a pleasure to read your posts because they are clear and solid, not like mines. These are chaotic and complex to follow up!

China has not built up morality in the modern sense, but it is being built up at the moment. — guanyun

I understand. Thank you and I appreciate your answers regarding this topic. I personally think that the concept of "modernity" is open to free interpretation and it is complex to distinguish which society acts better than the other. Yet I follow what you are explaining on the path of current Chinese society.

My opinion,Mao was an emperor, not a leader, and I must make it clear that China now started with Deng Xiaoping, and while Mao did a lot, he didn't modernize China, and in a sense, China now looks like the Second French Republic. — guanyun

I understand you now. To be honest, I always thought that Deng Xiaoping was the real architect of China and I acknowledge his big effort to transform China. You even considered it as a Second French Republic, so I see it as a drastic change. Nonetheless, you said previously that despite China has been increasing the economic standards of Chinese citizens, ethics and morality have decreased in terms of culture or civism. What do you think is the main cause here? Are the modern generation of Chinese people aware of such a detriment?

I agree with you. It is true that we do not really understand how China works and most of the information that comes from your country is biased by the Western media. I always tend to understand how Asia works because countries like China or Japan seem to be very interesting to me. At least, I still defend that things work out better there than here (in the overall view). Yet, the poison of corruption is everywhere, but I see that some countries are more drastic than others.

On the other hand, it is interesting how you say that Mao's legacy is rarely seen as Chinese people nowadays. I do not understand if it is "good" or "bad" or if it is just a generational issue. But I think it is worth highlighting how impressive his revolution was. Maybe this belongs to the old days, but I think there was a "before" and an "after" in China due to Mao's doctrine.

Sometimes people need medication. We would not take this view with a diabetic who needs regular insulin medication. — Tom Storm

Exactly! :up:

Thanks for your replies.

Summarising...

Maybe I understood wrongly, but it seems that you perceive Modern China as highly-developed in economics but undeveloped in terms of ethics or morality. I wonder if you perceive that the path taken by Deng Xiaoping went off from the real Chinese socialist culture perpetuated by Mao. Yet, it is very interesting your view on corruption. You state that whenever Chinese officials or entrepreneurs work along with Western citizens they tend to disrespect the law. I also wonder if this is a cultural conflict rather than a political one. We already debated this issue in the forum and I believe (I hope I am not wrong at all) that in China, Japan, Korea, etc... unethical actions such as corruption are more punished or socially rejected than in the Western world.

On the other hand, we tend to see China as a rigid state where the law is effective. I do not pretend to say that it is perfect, but it at least works as it should be. I am from Spain and here the establishment and public institutions work badly. They are corrupt and incompetent and even the law tends to be "soft" on corrupt politicians. This is why I miss Asian and Chinese culture more on my system. Here we lack rigid norms and attitudes. I do not want to sound so ignorant and say "China is a dictatorship" because we in the Western world are also blurred in terms of real representativeness...

I wasn't referring to prescribed medication under treatment. I was thinking about self-medicating indiscriminately with booze and other substances. — Tom Storm

Interesting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge on this matter, Tom. Believe it or not, I see that treatment medication is under a big social taboo. Whenever I tell someone that I take those, I perceive that they think I take them for pleasure, that it is a terrible mistake to think so... I am even grateful to those chemists and psychiatrists who work on the research of mood meds. They helped me a lot.

Hello mates,

I have a query. Do your posts go to the "drafts" even after posting them? I mean, when I post a comment in a discussion, it is also being kept in the drafts. I answered to Tom Storm in a discussion and curiously such reply went to the draft too. Like if I never posted it when I actually did. :chin:

What I am trying to explain is that there are two comments: the "original" that is kept in the draft and the copy that is posted.

Or maybe it is just my cellphone that is acting weirdly...

People have all sorts of ways to manage unhappiness; substance use, consumerism, hobbies, travel and other distractions, not philosophy so much. For some, religion may play a role. — Tom Storm

Good point, Tom.
But I wonder if one of the ways of facing unhappiness is to accept it. I mean, the act of comprehending and accepting that life has more negative/'sad' days than happy ones, and life tends to be more mediocre than we ever thought.
It is true that this way of thought goes to nihilism usually. I disagree because giving up with life doesn't necessarily mean being a nihilistic.

On the other hand, the line of taking drugs for facing whatever problem is blurred, don't you think? I take everyday Bromazepam and CBD to calm my anxiety down. Maybe it is not the best way to do so, but I don't know other. Even, if I got removed from those meds I would end up in a very pessimistic mood.

What question you want ask about socialism in China? — guanyun

Hello guanyun,

I have three questions regarding Chinese socialism.

How deep was the transition of Deng Xiaoping into the rule of market, or said it in other words, the "Modern China"?

What is the impact of Xi Jinping on 21th century China? Is it true that he owns more leadership and charisma than Mao's socialism?

How does it work real state agencies in China regarding that this is one of the main markets of capitalism? I know that one of the top agencies in Shanghai went into bankruptcy. Do you know why?