Etc...

No, but thanks anyway

There are people who complain that they never have enough money. But apparently that's not the case in Liverpool, England. At least, it wasn't earlier this month when Ruby Dickens tried to give away $1,750 of the surplus she "unexpectedly came into recently." A grandmother and resident of the city, she walked the streets for most of a week, offering £5 ($8.80) notes to passersby because "I don't really need it [and] it's a lovely feeling to give it to someone and brighten up their day." Yet, more than one Liverpudlian turned her down. She insisted her motives were honest since "as long as I can pay my bills, run my car, and go on holiday, there's not a lot else." As for the refuseniks, she said, "Maybe they think it's a trick."

Denmark and Germany lead the world in dipping into the wallets of their citizens, taking a combined 42 percent of personal income in taxes and for social security, results of a recent survey show. The figure, compiled by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, is based on 2003 figures and the amounts paid by single persons with average earnings. In Germany, the split is 50-50 between income and social security taxes, while in Denmark income is taxed at amost triple the rate of social security. The countries with the largest personal tax burdens, by percentage per capita:
Denmark 42%
Germany 42%
Belgium 41%
Netherlands 34%
Finland 31%
Sweden 31%
Poland 31%
Turkey 30%
Norway 29%
Austria 29%
Italy 27%
France 27%
Hungary 26%
Iceland 25%
Canada 25%
Australia 24%
Britain 24%
Czech Republic 24%
United States 24%