quinta-feira, junho 24, 2004
Impostos: O Exemplo Islândes
Na Tech Central Station
According to the Iceland sagas and chronicles, Iceland was the world's first tax haven. When King Harold unified Norway in the 870s, his first ruling was to impose a new tax on its people. The Vikings refused to pay the new tax and took off. According to the Saga, they set sail to Iceland because "there men are free from assaults of kings and criminals."
Prime Minister of Iceland David Oddsson is the direct descendant of these Vikings. And, since he became the head of the Icelandic government in 1991 he has also proven to be a very wise ruler. He learned the lesson that King Harold never understood and that is: "Overtax your people and they will fly away. Implement low tax rates and your country will become rich and prosperous."
The results were astonishing. Unemployment dropped, the deficit disappeared, as did inflation, and Iceland is now one of the fastest growing countries in Europe -- 5% a year on average for the last 10 years. According to Mr. Oddsson, "This success has been achieved not in spite of extensive tax cuts but, to a great degree, because of them."
posted by Miguel Noronha 3:57 da tarde
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