[disgruntledphd2]

> taxes on citizens

1% of VAT goes to the EU, yes.

> fines from companies created in more entrepreneurial environments than the EU can produce.

Mostly the ones that have actually been imposed (on GDPR) go to the national governments.

[philipallstar]

Seems like we agree: you don't need to advertise when you can force money out of people through VAT and rent-seek your citizens as customers.

[disgruntledphd2]

> Seems like we agree: you don't need to advertise when you can force money out of people through VAT and rent-seek your citizens as customers.

Not really. Like, the EU only has the powers given to it by national governments, 1% of VAT is probably too low tbh as there's a bunch of stuff that would be better solved at EU level. The politics around that are pretty tricky though.

[grim_io]

Are you against taxes in general, or what's up?

I have no problem with it. I would even argue that the EU is under funded.

[disgruntledphd2]

> I have no problem with it. I would even argue that the EU is under funded.

I completely agree with you, the EU is definitely under-funded (but I get that the national governments don't want to share tax revenue).