Monday 9 August 2010

A central european tax?

The responsible for EU budget avented the possibility of a new tax on European taxpayers - a central one, that would strengthen EU's budget. Two quick thoughts:


- An additional tax on an already burdened economy is not positive. Specially if that economy is lagging in a slow, almost unnoticeable growth;


- Additional funding should come from operational efficiency. EU is an unnefective cost vortex - a good example are the regular plennary sessions in Strasbourg.


Instead of trying to put its budgeting problems over taxpayers shoulders, EU should solve its problems. And promote economical recovery as a way for european strengthning and integration - trying to do it with a tax is just another wrong way.


http://economia.publico.pt/Noticia/ue-alemanha-rejeita-cobranca-de-impostos-a-nivel-europeu_1450603

Sunday 1 August 2010

Second place

News are high this weekend on who is nowadays the second largest economy in World. Comments from a Beijing top official put China in second place, overtaking Japan - the holder of that position for almost 40 years.

One of the comments is that it is an irrelevant statement. Given China's strong growth and Japan's 0% or negative performance, it is only a matter of time - if it happens this year or next, it really doesn't matter a lot.

But the other comment is on the European Union. It could be the second largest in the World (or even the first). It is the conclusion everyone reaches when one starts adding the individual GDP of its countries. But, for being considered an economy as a whole, more economical integration is badly needed. And that integration is (more than for a simple journalistic title) vital to stimulate the economy, growth and the population evolution and well-being.