M5 sighting in Shanghai
#11
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Lets be realistic, beside this great nation of ours where else could a 21 year old and even younger in some cases buy their own M5. I know for a fact that if my parents were still living in Iran there is no way I'd own my own...let alone an M5. I think we often times forget how lucky we have it here in the US.
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Thank you, it is for this main reason that I feel that China is not near the US. The main reason they implement this tax (other than to get money) is that they don't like the idea of citizens having nicer cars than the government officials. It is the exact same way in Iran.
Lets be realistic, beside this great nation of ours where else could a 21 year old and even younger in some cases buy their own M5. I know for a fact that if my parents were still living in Iran there is no way I'd own my own...let alone an M5. I think we often times forget how lucky we have it here in the US.
Lets be realistic, beside this great nation of ours where else could a 21 year old and even younger in some cases buy their own M5. I know for a fact that if my parents were still living in Iran there is no way I'd own my own...let alone an M5. I think we often times forget how lucky we have it here in the US.
Hong Kong has HIGH import taxes on automobiles. Yes I agree the HK govt makes a decent amount. But guess what? Their income tax is VERY reasonable. If you single and make USD$200,000 live in NYC, prepare to get ROBBED! Hong Kong's income tax is approximately 16% to 17% FLAT! It's progressive but the highest is that. NO TAXES ON CAPITAL GAINS!!! Stamp Duty on property taxes. Geez. How come I didn't move back yet? LOL
#13
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Thank you, it is for this main reason that I feel that China is not near the US. The main reason they implement this tax (other than to get money) is that they don't like the idea of citizens having nicer cars than the government officials. It is the exact same way in Iran.
Lets be realistic, beside this great nation of ours where else could a 21 year old and even younger in some cases buy their own M5. I know for a fact that if my parents were still living in Iran there is no way I'd own my own...let alone an M5. I think we often times forget how lucky we have it here in the US.
Lets be realistic, beside this great nation of ours where else could a 21 year old and even younger in some cases buy their own M5. I know for a fact that if my parents were still living in Iran there is no way I'd own my own...let alone an M5. I think we often times forget how lucky we have it here in the US.
I dont think it's 200%. It's very similar to Hong Kong. Approximately 100% to 110% depending on the CC of the engine. Or do you mean 200% of the regular price of the car?
It's not like they dont like the idea of citizens having nicer cars than the govt. China produces cars. They want the citizens to purchase cars made in China to stimulate growth of the Chinese automobile industry. They have Audis, Hondas, Toyotas, VWs, factories etc in China and the prices are pretty competitive.
Hong Kong has HIGH import taxes on automobiles. Yes I agree the HK govt makes a decent amount. But guess what? Their income tax is VERY reasonable. If you single and make USD$200,000 live in NYC, prepare to get ROBBED! Hong Kong's income tax is approximately 16% to 17% FLAT! It's progressive but the highest is that. NO TAXES ON CAPITAL GAINS!!! Stamp Duty on property taxes. Geez. How come I didn't move back yet? LOL
It's not like they dont like the idea of citizens having nicer cars than the govt. China produces cars. They want the citizens to purchase cars made in China to stimulate growth of the Chinese automobile industry. They have Audis, Hondas, Toyotas, VWs, factories etc in China and the prices are pretty competitive.
Hong Kong has HIGH import taxes on automobiles. Yes I agree the HK govt makes a decent amount. But guess what? Their income tax is VERY reasonable. If you single and make USD$200,000 live in NYC, prepare to get ROBBED! Hong Kong's income tax is approximately 16% to 17% FLAT! It's progressive but the highest is that. NO TAXES ON CAPITAL GAINS!!! Stamp Duty on property taxes. Geez. How come I didn't move back yet? LOL
#14
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FWIW -
I don't see how the first few posts make the direct or indirect claim that China is "better" than the United States.
To my read they simply state that right now the country is booming, both economically and politically. It is in a phase of rapid development, based upon political adjustments internal and international, economic conditions involving internal growth and world stagnation, and social changes that look good in large part due to the Olympic activities. Contrast this to the rest of the world - including the US - and it's an attractive country right now.
That will change. These things run in cycles. Over the long run the US has shown the greatest ability to reorganize itself and push forward and regain its preeminent stature. I expect our current downturn to be the same - the US will again be the world model. (But it HAS to get its economic and financial affairs in order quickly. We have spent so much money in the past decade without corresponding revenue that even a huge boom like the 1990's is not sufficient to keep us afloat.)
As to "better" ... some would say that judgment is in the eye of the beholder. But I don't think there's a viable argument that any leading country is equal to the moral and philosophical foundation that anchors the United States. Regardless of what we do on a daily basis we always circle around to 1776 and the subsequent Constitution. There's very little like that over the past two hundred years, and certainly China doesn't operate with the need to honor "self evident" principles. At its basis the US is better.
But I didn't see a qualitative evaluation and conclusion like that in the posts.
Wow, this got long. I need to get in my M5 and 670 SV and get some air.
I don't see how the first few posts make the direct or indirect claim that China is "better" than the United States.
To my read they simply state that right now the country is booming, both economically and politically. It is in a phase of rapid development, based upon political adjustments internal and international, economic conditions involving internal growth and world stagnation, and social changes that look good in large part due to the Olympic activities. Contrast this to the rest of the world - including the US - and it's an attractive country right now.
That will change. These things run in cycles. Over the long run the US has shown the greatest ability to reorganize itself and push forward and regain its preeminent stature. I expect our current downturn to be the same - the US will again be the world model. (But it HAS to get its economic and financial affairs in order quickly. We have spent so much money in the past decade without corresponding revenue that even a huge boom like the 1990's is not sufficient to keep us afloat.)
As to "better" ... some would say that judgment is in the eye of the beholder. But I don't think there's a viable argument that any leading country is equal to the moral and philosophical foundation that anchors the United States. Regardless of what we do on a daily basis we always circle around to 1776 and the subsequent Constitution. There's very little like that over the past two hundred years, and certainly China doesn't operate with the need to honor "self evident" principles. At its basis the US is better.
But I didn't see a qualitative evaluation and conclusion like that in the posts.
Wow, this got long. I need to get in my M5 and 670 SV and get some air.
#15
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FWIW -
I don't see how the first few posts make the direct or indirect claim that China is "better" than the United States.
To my read they simply state that right now the country is booming, both economically and politically. It is in a phase of rapid development, based upon political adjustments internal and international, economic conditions involving internal growth and world stagnation, and social changes that look good in large part due to the Olympic activities. Contrast this to the rest of the world - including the US - and it's an attractive country right now.
That will change. These things run in cycles. Over the long run the US has shown the greatest ability to reorganize itself and push forward and regain its preeminent stature. I expect our current downturn to be the same - the US will again be the world model. (But it HAS to get its economic and financial affairs in order quickly. We have spent so much money in the past decade without corresponding revenue that even a huge boom like the 1990's is not sufficient to keep us afloat.)
As to "better" ... some would say that judgment is in the eye of the beholder. But I don't think there's a viable argument that any leading country is equal to the moral and philosophical foundation that anchors the United States. Regardless of what we do on a daily basis we always circle around to 1776 and the subsequent Constitution. There's very little like that over the past two hundred years, and certainly China doesn't operate with the need to honor "self evident" principles. At its basis the US is better.
But I didn't see a qualitative evaluation and conclusion like that in the posts.
Wow, this got long. I need to get in my M5 and 670 SV and get some air.
I don't see how the first few posts make the direct or indirect claim that China is "better" than the United States.
To my read they simply state that right now the country is booming, both economically and politically. It is in a phase of rapid development, based upon political adjustments internal and international, economic conditions involving internal growth and world stagnation, and social changes that look good in large part due to the Olympic activities. Contrast this to the rest of the world - including the US - and it's an attractive country right now.
That will change. These things run in cycles. Over the long run the US has shown the greatest ability to reorganize itself and push forward and regain its preeminent stature. I expect our current downturn to be the same - the US will again be the world model. (But it HAS to get its economic and financial affairs in order quickly. We have spent so much money in the past decade without corresponding revenue that even a huge boom like the 1990's is not sufficient to keep us afloat.)
As to "better" ... some would say that judgment is in the eye of the beholder. But I don't think there's a viable argument that any leading country is equal to the moral and philosophical foundation that anchors the United States. Regardless of what we do on a daily basis we always circle around to 1776 and the subsequent Constitution. There's very little like that over the past two hundred years, and certainly China doesn't operate with the need to honor "self evident" principles. At its basis the US is better.
But I didn't see a qualitative evaluation and conclusion like that in the posts.
Wow, this got long. I need to get in my M5 and 670 SV and get some air.
#16
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Interesting post.
Thanks for reading mine BTW ...
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it will overtake Japan soon as the second largest economy in the world,
US still the largest, wealthiest country in the world, no doubt!
But if you think China is still like 10 years ago, think again
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Holy Crap...
You guys have some time to kill fighting about countries. Interesting posts though.. i enjoyed em.. I live here in NYC, my colleagues run businesses in China, (Shanghai, Yiwu and Shenzen). I've been there couple times. Yes you have to step outta the mold to see what else is out there. China is rapidly growing and we all acknowledge that, we're in debt to China and the world knows that, but dun be oblivious to the fact that America owns lots of companies in China as well as all over the world. United States is a great country but the step taken by the government recently for its own political gains were just so WRONG, that we're struggling. If the US dun change anything and keep tryna run the world like the World Police then no doubt in my mind that China is gonna overtake the US in next couple decades. I think it really matters on how hard the Nation is working towards it growth and upkeep? Lets see only the future will tell us. God Bless America.
You guys have some time to kill fighting about countries. Interesting posts though.. i enjoyed em.. I live here in NYC, my colleagues run businesses in China, (Shanghai, Yiwu and Shenzen). I've been there couple times. Yes you have to step outta the mold to see what else is out there. China is rapidly growing and we all acknowledge that, we're in debt to China and the world knows that, but dun be oblivious to the fact that America owns lots of companies in China as well as all over the world. United States is a great country but the step taken by the government recently for its own political gains were just so WRONG, that we're struggling. If the US dun change anything and keep tryna run the world like the World Police then no doubt in my mind that China is gonna overtake the US in next couple decades. I think it really matters on how hard the Nation is working towards it growth and upkeep? Lets see only the future will tell us. God Bless America.
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#20
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Keith I think you might be misunderstanding me, or me you.
I definitely think China is on a huge roll - economically, sociologically, and internationally - and has been for several years. The Olympics were (simply) visible confirmation of that, on view for the world.
What I was trying to say is that during the next long-term cycle history would confidently predict that the US will rebound from its current low point (and at that we're in better shape than most of the world). The US has at the least always shown the flexibility and ingenuity to quickly adapt and push forward faster than any other major state. China's test will be to see if it can sustain its strength - it takes a certain political system, resource reserves, and philosophical temper to continue the proper dynamics. It'll be interesting to see.
I definitely think China is on a huge roll - economically, sociologically, and internationally - and has been for several years. The Olympics were (simply) visible confirmation of that, on view for the world.
What I was trying to say is that during the next long-term cycle history would confidently predict that the US will rebound from its current low point (and at that we're in better shape than most of the world). The US has at the least always shown the flexibility and ingenuity to quickly adapt and push forward faster than any other major state. China's test will be to see if it can sustain its strength - it takes a certain political system, resource reserves, and philosophical temper to continue the proper dynamics. It'll be interesting to see.