Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am a Spaniard living in Germany... part of that very same problem. Anyways, "taxes and bureaucracy" is not the problem of the of the european south. In fact, taxes and bureaucracy are both way higher in Germany. The problems are more complex and historical. The EU economic crisis have been abused by right-wingers to argue that we have a too heavy social system. In fact, the demolition of the social system in the so…
> In fact, the demolition of the social system in the south is precisely preventing it from really leaving the crisis. Isn't it arguable though that the politicians are choosing to cut social welfare instead of choosing to cut cronyism and political favors? In which case it's actually the left-wing which is abusing the economic crisis, using those in poverty as pawns in a bigger game? > I want higher taxes if it come…
Using taxes in a manner that gives everyone the same benefit is seems like a reasonable thing, especially when compared to the places tax money seems to be spent to much (arms, military, open-loop energy systems, politics) or too little (i.e. too little for roads and bridges...).
The main difference is getting value out of your taxes. Value can be direct or indirect (the impact of education on your family, neighbors, friends etc indirectly impacts you as well, this goes for infrastructure, healthcare etc. as well), but having very little value kind of misses the point of a taxation system in an organised society. Might as well live in a forest by yourself in such cases. (but people tend to migrate to a country with a better system instead)