Life style provided by governmental tax money

In USA, 10-30% of annual income will be taxed to federal government, and 10% of your house value in CA will be taxed by local government. This tax rule apply to most regular/ordinary people.

用股票換鈔票, this actually is same as every country in this world, it is not a 天下奇觀 at all. Government usually have their eyes close on this group of people for their tax. People have more income, they need to pay more tax and government will have more money to do more public services.

A big country like USA, tax money is huge income for government to spend on public service like public project, street/park maintenance, public health, social service for disadvantages and elders.

In a crowded living place, lack of park or open space for residents to take a walk or excise or do any recreational activities; local government probably can think of the alternative choice like build a multi-purpose community center in each district or city for their residents to excise instead of paying extra money to join sport club.

Think about people with regular income, they probably could not afford any of extra money for those expensive facility. So, public library and multi-purpose/sport (with treadmill or indoor table tennis...) community center is more ideal design for crowded city instead of park or a large open space.

Taiwan has done very well on public health insurance. We all are so proud of the work and looking forward to hear the government to set the quality of life in Taiwan to be more like a developed country.
編輯內容　e-reading group　2008/1/26 上午 10:14:37

Reading and Life Style

Link to on-line store: http://www.pmcaonline.org/calendar.html

I have been trying to keep my life style in between library and home; reading books, magazines, video cd from library. I did find that would keep me away from shopping, it secondly save my spending on buying unnecessary clothes or items. Reading, in deed, makes our lives simply.

Culture

Discussion on I-Reading subject on Culture:

讀這本書時，心情會很沉重，因為會感覺到這本書的重量。文化、歷史和過去種種，走過千年的古國，即使熱鬧與繁榮，也躲不了歲月的洗禮。歲月令他更有內涵，卻也更加蒼老，彷彿時時都在嘆著氣。
　　寫一個國家，寫一個城市，對那個地方必要有一定的了解。人文、歷史、地理環……，在許多的因素下，成就了今日的中國，作者回顧歷史，從理史看今日的中國種種，會發現，很多事情和跡象，早在許久前就有跡可循。只是需要我們去體會，經歷千年歲月的文化。 - 書房一間

文化苦旅走遍了整個中國大陸，也跨越了中國的五千年。書中可以看到作者對歷史的博覽、對這片土地的情感。作者知識的廣博令人記憶深刻。
余秋雨的人文山水,在本書做了最好的表現,山水不只是風景,而更能給人一些省思,展現中國文人的風骨.而且看了本書,對於大陸一些人文掌故,地理,歷史等等,都會有更深一層的了解,像是柳侯祠,三峽,敦煌,都會使我們有身歷其境,與古人同遊之感,讓人不禁想親身一遊. 本書在現代的山水遊記中,真的是難得的佳品,與永州八記,水經注並列亦不遜色. - 言慈

This is what I felt the first time I visited China, and I soon made a conclusion that the whole China is a museum because we knew the background of each visiting spot historically and geologically. Regardless of the politics, China is an amazing civilization to me; especially when we looking back to so many different dynasties.

Praise the God, I sometimes think the numerous wars happened during 19 and 20 century are the result of clean cut China from the thousand years empire ruling system. Even though we all have relatives involved in the destroying power of the wars, parents and children either were killed or separated in war, thousands and millions.

One day, I realize there is one thing in common between Chinese in anywhere as well as American in USA both do not have prince and princess for them to day dreaming their fairy tales while many countries on this earth still allow to remain their fairy tale story. What power can make a thousand years empire ruling country to jump forward like this? Chinese traditionally show their fear to God, so Chinese have "Tien Tan", a formal royal altar for emperor worshiping "God" in every dynasty. ( The God representing the power of nature ruling the whole universe that Chinese traditionally respect and fear to.)

So, if we think positively, we can see the numerous wars as a gift that God's help to lead Chinese walk out of empire ruling system; even though, God using the terrible method - war, to force this giant country to change completely within two centuries.

編輯內容　e-reading group　2008/1/21 下午 02:00:47