BS: Oh, those Swedes...

Subject: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: GUEST,SueB
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 11:39 AM

"STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A group of Swedish parliamentarians proposed levying a "man tax" to cover the social cost of violence against women"

Go to Reuters or to Yahoo Oddly Enough (news of the weird) for more.

What d'ya think, y'all?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Amos
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 11:43 AM

Well, as long as we also levy a woman tax to offset the social costs of emotional whip-sawing on men.

You think those scars are less debilitating or less permanent? I assure you, they are not.

Men usually try to suck it all up, because that is their cultural training and bent.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: GUEST,SueB
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 12:04 PM

Just in terms of the medical bills involved, and given Sweden's healthcare system, one might could argue that it costs more to provide emergency medical services to the female victims of rape and domestic battery than it does to provide kleenex to the male victims of emotional battery. Therapy's expensive, but ER services along the lines of setting broken bones, dealing with internal bleeding, facial reconstructive surgery, etc. might be more expensive, and that doesn't even take into account the time and "manhours" spent by the police dealing with domestic violence, and the way it ties up the legal system too.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: open mike
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 01:16 PM

please provide link i only find this:
http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/4445/a/30936
here is a brief mention from a south african paper:
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=vn200410050122

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: artbrooks
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 01:31 PM

So, the idea is to have all males pay for the misdeeds of an aberrent few? Based upon the fact that they are of the same gender? Perhaps the problem is in my chromosomes, but the connection is neither logical nor instinctive to me. Bill the bastards who do the beating, regardless of their gender.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 03:36 PM

I think that they should levy a tax on Swedish women to cover the cost of all the car accidents that men have looking at their legs...

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: dunkel_esel
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 03:40 PM

and their armpits..

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: mg
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 03:45 PM

That sounded heartless. Emotional battery requires more than kleenex. I have heard, can't document it, that in the U.S. domestic violence that ends up in er is same for men and women. No sources. Perhaps someone can provide actual statistics.

It seems we need new laws. Perhaps the second time police are called the domestic arrangement should change for a specific amount of time.Like you can not live together, especially if there are children in the home. Goes double if any public housing or public funds are involved. No.. same for everyone....mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: GUEST,SueB
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 03:55 PM

I agree with you, artbrooks. It's not right to penalize an entire group for the misdeeds of a few of their number, in principle, although in fact it happens all the time. One should also be innocent until proven guilty. FWIW, I had the impression from reading the article that the proposal was raised not in the expectation that a measure like this ever could or should be passed, but to provoke discussion and draw attention to the issue. I'll go find the link in a second, but I will just take this moment to admit to gnomish Dave that I once had a bicycling accident in Holland - ran into a car - on account of a dastardly goodlooking Norwegian guy who winked at me and smiled. No medical costs were incurred.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: dunkel_esel
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 03:58 PM

hehe

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: GUEST,SueB
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 04:06 PM

Here it is.

Mary, you're always calling me heartless. Statistics on domestic violence are easy to find, if you care to look. Or you could just volunteer at a women's shelter for a week or two, as I have done, and listen to some stories.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 06:21 PM

I'm all for paying enough taxes so that the things that need to get done get done, and helping people who've been beaten up or raped is one of those things.

It's human beings who do those things to other human beings of bith sexes, so the tax ought to be on human beings as such, not just the male human beings. In the end, we sink or swim together.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 11:51 PM

Be serious, folks. Just how would these taxes be collected?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 12:09 AM

At the Dr's office? LOL!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Cluin
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 12:21 AM

How about a penis tax? By the inch?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Peace
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 12:26 AM

The only thing that the IRS has not yet taxed is the male
penis. This is due to the fact that 40% of the time it is
hanging around unemployed, 30% of the time it is hard up, 20%
of the time it is pissed off and 10% of the time it is in the
hole. On top of that, it has two dependents and they are both
nuts.

Effective January 1, 2005, your penis will be taxed
according to size.

The brackets are as follows:

10-12" Luxury Tax $30.00
8-10" Pole Tax $25.00
5-8" Privilege Tax $15.00
4-5" Nuisance Tax $3.00

Males exceeding 12" must file under capital gains. Anyone
under 4 inches is eligible for a refund.

PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR AN EXTENSION!!!!!


IRS NOTE: We are still waiting for answers for the following
questions:

Are there penalties for early withdrawals?

What if one's penis is self employed?

Are condoms a deductible expense as work clothes?

Is there an additional tax if you are not circumcised?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 04:11 AM

Nice one Brucie:-) But 40% unemployed? Nearer 99% surely...;-0 I must confess as well, Sue, that I have only ever had a sexualy inspired accident while cycling as well! In the lake district some years ago I was passing through a village when a couple of lasses who were young enough to be my daughters shouted 'Cor, nice legs'. Assuming they were serious rather than taking the p!"s caused my rather inflated ego not to notice a manhole cover. I didn't fall off and pride made me go on until I was out of sight but that crossbar sure brought tears to my eyes!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Peace
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 10:05 AM

D t g: Wish that was original. Cluin mentioned a penis tax and it reminded me of the post above. Found it on the web somewhere by a google of penis tax, joke.

Ever slip third gear and drop to the bar that runs from the seat to the handlebars?

Speaking of legs, years back my eyes left the road--actually, they looked over towards two gals about my age at the time who were dressed for some hot summer weather in Quebec. I ran the bicycle into a curb stone and a "Do not park here" sign. Four broken ribs on the left and a cracked one on the right.

Oh, the shame of it all.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Amos
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 10:15 AM

Tough price to pay, Brucie -- but did you get any action?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 11:42 AM

It was that very bar I hit when unseated by the manhole, Brucie:-( I thought I was exceedingly brave to cycle round the corner before I screamed;-)

Still. Didn't want any more kids anyway...

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, those Swedes...
From: Peace
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 09:13 PM

Amos,

It only hurt when I laughed, slept, ate, moved or took a breath. Also, my heart's beating was an annoyance.

Dtg,

The sensation goes so far beyond words that OUCH doesn't even cross one's mind.