Note: This is a rough working draught and merely reflects my state of mind at the present; it may be subject to change. Actually, I’m not changing it, the next paragraph is perhaps the most eloquent I’ve ever written.
You’re a bunch of thieving, communist bastards. It’s my money, I worked for it, I worked fucking hard for it and I don’t see why I should have to give so much of it* to a bloated state apparatus that employs can’t-be-sacked, job-for-life, 35-hour week wankers who can’t even be fucked to get off their fat, bureaucratic arses and answer the fucking phone after 11:30 a.m.
*Yes, yes I know. It’s my own fault, if only I’d made the sensible choice and become an unmarried teenage mother, not only would I be in a lower tax band, I’d get free money from the state. How foolish I’ve been.
German Phrase For Today: “Finanzamt” - I’m moving to Estonia, they’ve got flat tax.
Song playing as this was published: Sleeper - “Sale Of The Century”
So it’s not just me then? Ok.
And this is why Sin hates the concept of EC law. On the plus side, I can tell you relevant directives and regulations that could help you get around it.
Nate: It would appear not.
Sin: Would this be the “get paid in cash and drive to a bank in Switzerland in an inconspicuous-looking car” directive? And this would be the same EU whose auditors have refused to sign off on its accounts for the past 11 years?
I can highly recommend Estonia. I’ve only been to Tallinn, but it’s incredibly beautiful. A proper fairy-tale of a town. And there’s all the niceness of being Finland-like - I love Finland - and then a bit of Russianness thrown in for exoticness’s sake. A lovely, properly arctic winter, and a heavenly, long-days summer. But as for the language…
BiB: I’ve seen pictures and heard Talinn is beautiful. Not sure about the language either. And an arctic winter - just what I need…. although it’s only as far north as Stockholm, and that’s cope withable….
AF,
The “bloated state apparatus” is a generalisation that does not relect the status quo here in Germany anymore. Many institutions are stripped to the bone - at least in Berlin (police, schools, hospitals etc.). Retired civil servants are not replaced, duties are “reassigned” (i. e. you fill two positions) and tasks are outsourced with the effect that they are taken care of in a mediocre fashion.
I also would like to point out that there is a chronic shortage of Betriebspruefer (company auditors) in Germany. It seems the political will is lacking to check whether large firms are paying their taxes properly. So while we may have a tax code that is a recipe for insanity, many companies do not have to play by the rules. The risk of being audited is miniscule.
The fact that the communications system of most German administrations is slipshod at best, is indeed a major annoyance. You never know whether somebody just went to the loo or is out sick for four months (no voicemail, no rerouting etc.). If the primary user of the telephone is not around, his colleagues will usually not touch it.
Interestingly, your post broadened my horizon. Until this morning I was unaware that the creation of semi-truths, spinning of facts and
placement of unfounded rumours (i. e. the regular tasks of any professional involved in PR) could be considered “fucking hard work”. Or are you refering to your blogging activities?
JCS
or you can go forever doing one PhD after another and be a student all your life. with kids, of course.
JCS: I’m not going into the details of this on a blog. Except I’ll nod my head and agree completely with you about Betriebspruefer. I think DaimlerChrysler do a remarkable job, isn’t it the case that they pay less direct tax than you or I? i.e. nothing
As for “Until this morning I was unaware that the creation of semi-truths, spinning of facts and placement of unfounded rumours (i. e. the regular tasks of any professional involved in PR) could be considered “fucking hard work”. You’d be surprised…. But mostly because I don’t just do PR
ruth: PhD? Never again
Man, I love you.
You said it better than I ever could.
Unfazed by my lack of prowess when compared to your rant, I say it quite often myself
.
- Sparky
Sparky: I love you too! We really are going to tell Jen eventually though….
And ranting’s easy when you’ve just received letters like the one I got that prompted that potty-mouthed outburst.