Free Market vs. Socialism: Take the Challenge
Posted by Political Pyro in Politics November 26, 2008While this country seems to be in the midst of a whole-hearted lurch toward European-style Socialism, I must confess to being among those of a shrinking minority who still have grave doubts about Obamanomics and the direction we are headed.
The following chart provides statistics available online from The Heritage Foundation, The CIA’s World Factbook, and the Human Development Reports. Take the Free Market vs. Socialism Challenge.
Singapore, rated the second freest economy in the world, represents the direction most conservatives believe this country should be headed. Germany, the twenty-third freest, is a classic example of European Socialism and the preferred direction of the newly elected administration.
I encourage any Obama supporter or Progressive Democrat to explain how a high tax, big government economy is in any way superior to free market conservatism…
|
|
#2 Singapore |
#5 U.S. |
#23 Germany |
|
Fiscal (Tax) Freedom |
90.3 |
68.3 |
58.4 |
|
Individual Taxes |
< 20 % |
< 35 % |
< 47.5 % |
|
Corporate Taxes |
< 20 % |
< 35 % |
< 25 % |
|
Tax Revenue by GDP |
12.9 % |
26.8 % |
34.7 % |
|
Poverty |
5.2 % |
15.4 % |
10.3 % |
|
Unemployment |
3.1 % |
5.1 % |
11.7 % |
|
Homicide |
0.5 % |
5.6 % |
1.0 % |
|
Prison Population |
15,038 |
2,186,230 |
78,581 |
|
WHO Healthcare Ranking |
#6 |
#37 |
#25 |
|
Public Expenditure on Health |
1.3 % |
6.9 % |
8.2 % |
|
Education Spending |
3.7 % |
5.9 % |
4.6 % |
|
Military Spending by GDP |
4.9 % |
4.06 % |
1.5 % |
|
Government Spending by GDP |
14.4 % |
36.6 % |
46.9 % |
|
Freedom from Government |
93.07 % |
59.81 % |
34 % |
|
Inflation |
0.5 % |
3.4 % |
1.9 % |
|
External Debt |
24.3 billion |
10 trillion |
3.9 trillion |
As you can see, the individual tax rates in Germany are more than double the rates of Singapore. It would seem the Germans are interested in spreading the wealth like Obama, yet their poverty rate is still twice as high as Singapore’s, and their unemployment rate is nearly four times higher.
The World Health Organization’s healthcare ranking places Singapore at #6 in the world despite the fact that government spending amounts to only 1.3% of their GDP. In contrast, Germany spends 8.2% of their GDP on their healthcare, yet manages to place at only #25 on the list.
In every instance, Singapore outshines both Germany and the United States with a successful free market economy that neither punishes success nor allows the development of a welfare state.
According to statistics — in every instance — when government simply gets out of the way, the people will prosper.
Disagree? Show me where I went wrong…….
