[shankr]

> The salaries are shockingly low. Really ask yourself if all the comforts of Europe are worth cutting your salary in 2 or 3, and that's before...

Exactly! No amount of health-care and vacation can cover for that. And that's why as for a skilled immigrant, USA is top destination.

> Taxes. The top tax rate here is in the low-40s, comparable to the US, but unlike the US, the top tax bracket starts below $65k.

It's funny when I see Americans on reddit complaining about how they have to pay so much in taxes. When you show them exact numbers, then they start talking about how they don't get "worth" of their taxes.

[notch656a]

Government revenue is 30% of GDP. Most of that comes either from taxing either US nationals or those residing inside US, or indirectly via tariffs and inflation (both of which effects both US nationals and foreigners).

90 years ago it was about 1/4th that figure (as percent GDP). We've had an explosion of government siphoning of GDP, so it's no surprise some people aren't happy about the situation. Recent stimulus checks excepted, in the US a single person making above poverty line can actually be taxed into poverty.

I have looked into opting out of social security, but unfortunately you have to be a member of one of a few select religious organizations or certain unusual employment situations to be exempted (believe some teachers and rail workers with special retirement plans are excepted). I would like to see that option. Let me opt out for life of getting benefits of transfer payment, and in exchange not require me to pay any social transfer payment tax.