As you can see I am from Denmark.

When I read the post in this forum, a lot of them are about insurance.

In Denmark we have free public hospitals (and doctors). The hospitals guarantee treatment within 1 month.

But we also have private hospitals (insurance or paying) where we can come more quickly.

With sleep apnea the public hospitals anyway pay for the equipment with or without a private insurance. They also pay for the follow up, and new equipment (new mask and so on).

The normal equipment is a Resmed Auto set Spirit with humidifier, and a mask of your own choice. After that you will have a consultation and a new mask and hose every ear.

They also pay for repair or new machine if necessary.

But I have to say, that the taxes in Denmark is very high (about 55% of our income). Cars cost about 3 times the cost in the States, and gasoline about double up. And we have a tax of 25% of everything we buy.

So I think we pay enough for the free hospitals.

But I would like to now, how the system is in the States.

Henning

I think I am safe to say that most of us complain about it.  Our taxes are not as high but we get barely anything for them.  Sales tax on purchases very betwen states.  New Hampshire does nto have sales tax...here in Florida the state sales tax is a base tax..then each county within the state can add addtitional tax on top of that to cover county expenses...roads etc.  We pay real estate taxes, social security taxes, federal income tax...most states (not Florida) has a state income tax, luxury tax (big purchases of frivolous type items, capital gains tax, this tax thatt tax EVERYWHERE there is a tax....and we get barely anything for it...and if we do get something for it we have to fight for it and go through a lot of red tape to get it.

 We have elderly people...shoot not just the elderly I have an example to what happened to my parents...Daddy was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 63....he had to leave work...took time to be approved to collect his social security...I went to their house once and happened to look in the refridgerator and saw it was bare NO FOOOOOD!...just a few aged carrots and salad dressings...I asked my mother about it...she cried and said they had to buy Dad's medication.    They were to proud to tell me...from then on I bought their groceries and did what I could for them.  Social security was not enough to cover their living expenses...when Dad died, Mum had to sell their house and move into a small apartment.

I am currently waiting for a decision from Social Security Diability Insurance...this is a mantatory *tax* that has to be paid by most all workers...I cn no longer work due to several problems...I was denied several times..it took 2 1/2 years (which is said to be quick)  to get an appeals hearing which I had last March 7th...I still have not heard an answer...I found out that SSDI lost some of my paper wotk and the Judge that heard the case is very ill.  In the meantime I am almost 7 months behind on my mortgage and going through financial h*ll.  The stress is playing havoc with my marriage...both of us do not know what to do and where to turn...anyday now we will be homeless....and I am not exagerating.  USA does NOT take care of their people...IMHO.

If I had a choice...I would be moving to Denmark!


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Henning wrote:

But I have to say, that the taxes in Denmark is very high (about 55% of our income). Cars cost about 3 times the cost in the States, and gasoline about double up. And we have a tax of 25% of everything we buy.   So I think we pay enough for the free hospitals.

Dear god!  If I had to pay 55% of what I made to the government and then 25% of everything I bought after that, I'd be living on what? A third of my income?

Last time I checked, my yearly medical bills, factoring in the cost of insurance, copays, and what the insurance company pays, is less than 5k a year (I'm 46).  Even if I made minimum wage I'd be ahead if I had to pay that instead of giving 55% to the government.  I think the minimum wage in Florida is $7 something.  55% of that would be more than $8k. Do you know of anyone in the US that can live on less than $7k a year?

As they say, there's no such thing as a "free lunch".

Our system isn't perfect, none is, but I wouldn't trust our government with most of my income.  I'd rather have to fend for myself.

I'll stay with the good ol' USofA

Check into Denmark though.  May be high taxes but so much is covered for the people...not just in medical care.  AND if you do add up all our taxes we are paying close to the same percentage and get barely anything for it.

I am curious as to what the average household income is in Denmark....translated please into USD.


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Check into Denmark though.  May be high taxes but so much is covered for the people...not just in medical care.  AND if you do add up all our taxes we are paying close to the same percentage and get barely anything for it.  If you do need something through  the government it is so burdened with red tape and incompetency it takes forever to get it.

Nope, I do not trust my government with my past income...I worked hard and put into the system...now I am sick (not just SA...that is being treated) and I can not get my benefits out.....in my time of need.  I too would prefer to fend for myself...but without some mandatory taxes there would be little to no infrastructure.

I am curious as to what the average household income is in Denmark....translated please into USD.  How many hours in the average work week? What other things does Denmark offer for support of it's people.  Education?  Elderly?  Disabled?  Can you give some samples of the costs of basic houehold needs in USD...such as gallon of milk, loaf of sandwich bread, pound of butter, dozen eggs  (I know the measurments are different/ metric)  How much does an average worker pay for their home?


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Dear Mrs. Rip Van Winkle!

This was a lot of questions, and maybe a little away from this forum. But I will try to answer you as god as I can.

First of all, I am sad to hear of all your problems.

You are right; there are a lot of other things the government covers in Denmark.

Free medical care. (1 month guarantee for treatment)

A maximum of medicine pay of $ 300 / ear. Hereafter the government pays about 90 % of the rest. If you are permanent sick you will have the medicine free of charge.

Parents got a cheque for each child under 18 ears every quarter (about $700). For single parents even more.

Free School / Education (University including). Student’s (over 18 years) even got a state educational grant of about $ 1000 / month.

If you are permanent incapacitated / disabled, they pay you an early retirement (about $ 3000 / month). They also pay for your aid.

If you are sick for a longer time (and your employer not pay you wage anymore) you will have a sickness benefit (also about $ 3000 / month). (And you don’t have to fight for it).

When you are 65 years old, you will have and minimum retirement pension of $ 1000/month. (This minimum is independent of other income). If you not have other income you will have an addition of $ 500/month. If you are single your will have a total about $ 2000 / month). There are other benefits when retired. (Cheaper transportation, contribution to your apartment rent., medicine card)

That’s only what I just can think of. I’m sure there is a lot of more.

The minimum wage is about $ 3.500 / month. (In that case the tax is only about 40 %)

The average wage is about $ 5000 / month. The average household then is about $ 10000 plus for the children.

6 weeks of paid holidays. Many people have 1 or 2 weeks more.

We work 37 hours a week.

I really don’t know the cost of foods in Denmark. (It is my wife that manages that).

An average cost for the home? This is difficult to answer. This is very depending on where you live in the country. I'm living near Copenhagen, and my house cost about $ 1 mill. In the other end of the contry you can have af house for $ 200.000.

Everybody talk about the taxes in Denmark (me too), but after all – I think the most of the Danes have a good feeling with our social system.

Henning

Not really off topic on here...though we stick to SA we do speak of other things.

I have read a lot lately on how Denmark is currently the best place to live...economically...and  though the taxes are high...more is for the benefit of the people.  I do not remember exactly what the average American ends up paying in taxes...but it is something I believe to be in the mid to low 40% range..once all is said and done...then sales tax on top of that in most areas.  The average home price is around $175,000???.. i think...long time out of the business so forget the current info...though there are regional pockets that are much lower and of course the busy hub areas that are very high.  ALL in ALL what I have read is that the quality of life is superior.  I also just saw a documentory on the treatment of the criminal...could be just one place that was featured and not normal...but it showed how most were easily "corrected" and re entered into society.  I also believe that Denmark has the lowest murder rate...and most of this is due to how the people of Denmark are treated to begin with...

Thanks for answering my questions...I'll be knocking on yuor door if I don't get this SSDI!   Wish my husband didn't mind the cold!


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Denmark is an extremely small country, compared to us.  There are more people living in South Florida than in Denmark.  What works for a small country doesn't always work for one that is nearly 50 times its size.

The grass always seems to be greener, yet people have been risking their lives for over 200 years to come here.

How many people are doing so to be in Denmark?

Mrs Rip Van Winkle wrote:

Thanks for answering my questions...I'll be knocking on yuor door if I don't get this SSDI!   Wish my husband didn't mind the cold!

You will be welcome – but I really hope that everything will fall into place for you and your husband.

And you are right; the crime rate in Denmark is very low. Maybe it is also a consequence of our weapon law. It’s illegal for ordinary people to have weapons.

Henning

justtrish wrote:

Denmark is an extremely small country, compared to us.  There are more people living in South Florida than in Denmark.  What works for a small country doesn't always work for one that is nearly 50 times its size.

The grass always seems to be greener, yet people have been risking their lives for over 200 years to come here.

How many people are doing so to be in Denmark?

You are right. We are only about 5+ mill. Citizens, and of course this is easier to manage. I also think that the grass often seems greener on the other side.

But in the fact, we have very god relations to the USA. We are with you in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan we have a lot of soldiers in the most dangerous area in the country. So we know “body bags” very well.

We also fight for our freedom and against terror. I think you have heart about our Mohammed cartoons.


Henning

No One is saying change our government or that we should do things the same as Denmark.  This is only a discussion on the differences in comparison.  There are pro's and con's to everything.   PLUS...there is no way the USA could revamp and do as Denmark....too many illegals coming to South Florida by the boat full and crossing our borders in broad daylight....and we give them money, support etc from our taxes...including yours, that you prefer that the government did not have.

 I must admit that I am a believer in all for one and one for all.  It is a better society when all work with each other verses against.  We are losing our hometown atmosphere...our community.  Too many people out there are living life with a me, me, me frame of mind.

Let us keep this on topic for the OP and not turn this into a debate.


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Henning wrote:

But I have to say, that the taxes in Denmark is very high (about 55% of our income). Cars cost about 3 times the cost in the States, and gasoline about double up. And we have a tax of 25% of everything we buy.

So I think we pay enough for the free hospitals.

But I would like to now, how the system is in the States.

Henning

It is very difficult to compare the taxes in the U.S. to the taxes in Denmark.  My full time job involves transaction related taxes (I argue with transaction tax auditors for a living).

The Tax System is very complex - I'll try to be brief and will keep to what individuals pay (companies are different)

In the U.S., we have payroll taxes at the Federal level that help to fund programs for social security (6.2%), and medical care for certain individuals (2.9%).  At the state level, we have unemployment compensation if a person becomes unemployed - the rate is determined by whatever state you work in.  There can also be taxes depending on which city you work in - this is called an "occupational privilege tax" and goes towards social programs in various cities.

We have an individual income tax that is based on the amount of money you make and the rate can range from 0% - 39.5% at the Federal level with an additional amount at the state level ranging from 0% - about 10%.  Some cities also impose an income tax as well.

There are special income taxes for individuals that fall into certain situations.  There is the Alternative Minimum Tax that may be up to 28% for certain individuals, there is a Capital Gains tax for certain individuals, and there are various taxes for certain financial transactions such as cashing out retirement savings prior retiring (you are taxed at your individual rate +10%).  There is a tax on inheritance, there is a tax that a giver must pay on behalf of a recipient for gifts greater than $10,000, etc., etc.

We have a "sales tax" or "use tax" which is similar to the value added taxes you have in Denmark.  These taxes go towards states, counties, cities, and cultural facilities districts.  The average combined rate is about 8% on all items purchased.  If a person does not pay the "sales tax" on a transaction that is subject to the tax (as an example by ordering an item through the internet), then they are liable for "use tax" on that transaction - use tax is rarely enforced at the individual level (the auditors realize that the deeper pockets belong to the company the purchase is made from).  These taxes go towards various public programs from maintenance of municipal buildings to roads to sporting stadiums to funding public facilities.

If you are a homeowner, then you pay property taxes.  Property taxes generally also go toward the general fund of a city.  In some jurisdictions, these taxes also fund trash removal and the public school system (children up to the age of 18) as well as certain hospitals that are run by public entities (a city hospital as an example).

Sometimes, individuals will be subject to special taxes imposed for special purposes - examples include "lodging tax" for people who travel and spend the night in hotel rooms, sometimes there are "resort taxes" for those that like to visit areas that have a high concentration of ski resorts, "rental car tax" for people who rent cars on a short term basis, etc.  These taxes can vary up to 10%

There are also taxes at the Federal and State level for other items such as using public utilities (telephone, natural gas, electricity).  There can be a "utility users tax" for those using the utility that goes toward the maintenance of the utilities in the public right of way, a "business and occupation" tax which is imposed as a privilege for doing business in a certain jurisdiction that generally goes toward a general fund, there is a 911 tax that goes toward the maintenance of the emergency telephone system, there is a Relay Service Charge (sometimes one at the state and one at the local level) that cover programs to help the deaf and blind communicate through the telephone, there may a "poison control surcharge" which is a tax to help fund poison control centers, etc., etc.

We pay a Federal and in most states a local level tax (on top of the sales tax) when we purchase fuel for our vehicles.  This helps to fund maintenance and building of various roads and highways.

...and these are all at the INDIVIDUAL level ONLY (I'm sure I missed a few).  When all is said and done, our total rate of tax is about the same or more.  The difference is that your tax is organized in one place where as our taxes take many shapes and sizes and are harder to keep track of  

From a medical perspective, there are two major public programs - Medicare and Medicaid.  Medicare is available to individuals over the age of 65 or to individuals that are disabled prior to that age or impoverished.  Medicaid is available as a supplement to Medicare for those that are impoverished and is administered at the state level.  This "insurance" can be used at any hospital and at most medical care providers.

Everyone else either pays for their own insurance (subsidized by their employer) or they go without insurance completely.


edited to add.....sometimes taxes are subject to taxes as well.  An example (that I am working on currently) relates to the State of New York....the New York City Utility User's tax paid is subject to the New York State gross receipts tax at two levels (once under §186c and another time under §186e).  The §186c tax is also subject to the §186e tax.  The Federal Universal Service Fund that people pay on their phone bill is subject to sales tax as well as tax for §186e and §186c.  It can get very complicated!

I also forgot to add, as a point of trivia for Mrs Rip Van Winkle, I work for a long distance telephone company.  In the State of Florida, the company pays 75% tax (in one form or another) for every dollar of revenue generated (that's gross income, not net income).

It's enough to make you sleepy (I know, it used to happen at my desk)!       

Good stuff Mr ED!

I would like to note...that though some Property Taxes in certain areas fund a 'public hospital' ie...county/city hospital...the care is not provided free of charge.  One has to qualify below a minimum income level to receive discounted or free medical care.  With that said...these hospitals are more likely to have a high rate of uncollected invoices...which drive up the prices of medical care for those who can pay...and drives up the tax for that area.  However, these facilities do receive government, public and private grants/endowments.

You are right...enough to make you sleepy...and the head spin!


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Well, after reading the post from Mr. Ed I think I will find my CPAP and get a nap !!

I agree with you Mrs. Rip Van Winkle – there is pro’s and con’s. And I agree with you Mr. Ed - It is very difficult to compare the taxes. But I think you must have an enormous administration to manage all this kind of taxes.

Here in Denmark the opinion is, that you pay a very little in taxes. But now I can see that your tax system is very difficult to see through.

I never had the thought, that our system could be implemented in the USA. But in fact we are exporting our tax system (and some of our social systems) to other countries – especially the “new” countries in the old east European.

If you look at Europe, some people (especially the politicians) wants a United States of Europe. But we are too different – I think. The different language alone is a major problem. But there is also a lot of difference in culture (You have to think of, that Europe has a very long history). So I don’t think we will see that in my lifetime. The best of the European Union (in my opinion) is that we now have peace in Europe.

But maybe it is god enough, as Mrs. Rip Van Winkle say, “We could lose our hometown atmosphere”.

Anyway Denmark is today a multicultural community. Until for about 6 - 7 years ago we had a lot of refugees (also illegal’s). Then we got a new government, at the rules for immigration was tightening very much. Today we have only a few refugees. Now we try to integrate those who already are here.

Finally I think, that the Danes are much globalized, because our economy is very depending of our export.

This has been a very interesting debate, and I think we all know a lot more about each other.

Henning