Quote from Pa(b)st Prime:
Dude, I'm just another trader. Compared to the morons on this board-or to the Obama campaign-I may be "rich" but the fact is I struggle just like everyone else. My home has lost a half mil in value and even though I have several hundred thou in cash with Treasury rates where they are my "riskless" return is literally equal to a povert level job. Like pension funds and Wall Street I've had to diversify into some pretty risky shit to get my returns up to a point where I can live.
The past two years I've had good earnings. Not great but six figures. Between property taxes, federal income taxes and self employment taxes I've duked the government a pretty fair amount of money. Let's put it this way: Each one of us probably spends more in taxes than any other expense. By a long ways. I'm not in a position anymore where I can pay out half my income to Washington. It's not worth it. Not when I can move my stuff 80 miles a way and pay virtually nothing for the same exact lifestyle I enjoy here.
McCain's mention of Ireland was ironic. A few Chicago trading groups are now Dublin based. Policy makers had better take note that with the exception of athletes, sit-com stars and CEO's most people making money in todays electronic world can live and earn anywhere. If America was the white picket fence of old it would be a different story but I don't need to stay HERE just to live with violent minorities, crap services, third world infrastructure ect.
The reason we're becoming a third world country is that our "real" tax rate is way below the rest of the developed world. Our "real" corporate tax rate is the lowest of all developed nations. So is the "real" personal rate on the wealthiest in our country.
You seem like an honest guy paying his far share of taxes. Like you, I pay a hefty tax every year. But, many of my neighbors and colleagues don't. They bitch about terrible infrastructure, yet aren't willing to pay for it. Hell, some of them earn into the seven figures, yet pay virtually nothing in taxes.
Like Warren Buffet said. He pays less in taxes than his secretary. He thought it was criminal.
Anyway, moving to another country where taxes are higher, or should I say fairer, might be what you want to do. You'll get the benefit of good infrastructure and better functioning health care system. And you'll get good government since in many other developed countries, working for the government is considered a prestigious job and attracts the best and the brightest.