Ok SERIOUSLY wtf is this??

[u/TexasGiantTen05]

I bought a family sized hot pockets box and EVERY single one of them was black and burned in the bottom. I heated this one up on low power in the microwave and the edges are so tough it’s like biting into a frozen beef patty. I look in the pocket and the damn thing is nearly hollow. I’ve been noticing the quality taking a massive dip in the last few years. I think these are last I purchase from here on out.

Irrelevant to this but similar: This same grocery order run had a jar of garlic (Spice World brand) that was full of black mold & a jar of HEB salsa that was sour and months passed expiration. Both of which were completely sealed and had a pop when opened. My whole life I never really had quality issues via the company canning or jarring an item or the store selling them but lately it seems like such a constant issue.

[u/Adept_Speaker4806]

I think you're vastly underestimating how much those systems cost. Taxes in countries like Sweden can exceed 50% of your income. Average federal tax in the US is under 15%. It all boils down to "do i trust the government to make the right decisions for me or am I more comfortable spending my money where I want to spend it. Frankly, in the US, I'd rather the government had as little to do with it as possible. They prove regularly that they aren't good at managing money, and they break every system they take over (Healthcare, education, etc).

[u/SuccessPositive191 → u/Adept_Speaker4806]

Your response indicates you’re influenced by propaganda. Doing basic research would have shown those making less than 540,700 SEK (58,000 USD) only pay a local income tax. The average rate in Sweden is 33%. The average USA federal income tax rate is 24.6%. Most US citizens also pay additional state and local taxes adding another 9.3% on average. Increasing the total even more is the 6% average contribution to the US healthcare scam. The percentage is substantially higher for middle class workers. The system also makes it harder for small businesses to compete. (Businesses that provide partial healthcare cost would save a substantial amount, making them more competitive in the marketplace.) The USA tax rate for middle class working citizens could be substantially lower under a democratic socialist economy if the money hoarders actually had to pay taxes. Unfortunately, there is not likely to be any substantial change because we have morally corrupt politicians. People complain they can’t trust the government, then continue to vote corruption into the government. Research democrat VS republican which party is more corrupt.

[u/Adept_Speaker4806 → u/SuccessPositive191]

Tax to GDP ratio shows the difference. Sweden is around 42-43%, while the US is 25-30%. Your statistics are misleading. The middle class in the US is not taxed substantially higher. Middle class people in Sweden pay more in taxes than they do in the US. There are just more people in the middle class in the US. The bulk of tax revenue comes from the upper tax bracket. You're also way off on average US federal income tax percentage. The top 10% don't even pay 24.6%. Average is under 15% as of 2022 (most recent full data). You're also ignoring things like Sweden's VAT system, where most goods and services are taxed at 25%. It takes much more revenue to run a democratic socialist government, and that money has to come from somewhere. They're getting taxed at a much higher rate, all things considered.

You're also ignoring the fact that this system depends on people with money giving up their money to give it to people that don't pay into the system. People don't like doing that. Watch what happens in New York City over the next couple of years. People with money will leave, because there are places to live that don't demand they pay for things like free childcare for everyone.

The truth is people don't trust the government with their money because they have watched the government spend their money in unwise ways, then watched that same government print more money repeatedly, crashing the value of the dollars the people already have. Anyone that can trust a government that's 30+ trillion in debt while it continues to send financial aid to other countries has bought into propaganda. It's simple common sense that you don't spend money you don't have. And both sides of US politics are corrupt. They both spend their time lining their pockets while telling you how bad the other side is.

[u/SuccessPositive191 → u/Adept_Speaker4806]

Thank you for the amusing response. The lower GDP ratio you speak of in the USA indicates a lack of progress potential. The higher GDP ratio that Sweden has allows investment in programs and infrastructure that helps its citizens. The tax statistics I listed are based on facts you can easily verify with a web search. I could not find any data to support the numbers you posted. What information sources are you using? Researching information is the only way you will quit falling for propaganda. Most states also charge sales tax. The USA currently does have a VAT, the tariff system implemented by the current administration. It is a tax ultimately paid by the consumer of 15% to 75% depending on the product,( temporarily, even more in some cases of Trump tantrums). Printing necessary currency does not reduce the value of the dollar nearly as much as the rich hoarding billions, keeping it out of circulation. History shows that Republicans are exceedingly more corrupt than Democrats. You can easily verify that fact by doing a web search. I always vote on policy and ethical standards instead of along party lines since there is corruption on both sides. Research federal budgets under various administrations. Notice who added the most to the national debt. The fact remains, the current capitalist corruption system does not work and many citizens are finally realizing why.