MA is not a "high-tax state", it's in the middle by an overall tax burden (depending how you count), so it's another myth. Check this for example: https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-highest-lowest-tax-bur.... Also I'm not in the top 10% percentile, more like in the top 20% in MA. Give me your definition of the "middle class". Also I explained that for the "lower class" medical payments are even higher.
No, I'm not getting "welfare state" benefits, I'm getting a pretty crappy medical service for a price which is waaay higher than in Germany. And if I lose my job I will be paying 2K/month + copays and co-insurances, not mentioning deductibles, unlike in Germany. And God forbids you get into a hospital without insurance, your jaw will drop to the floor when you see the bill.
Have you ever been in the Boston subway? Compare it with almost any city in Europe, hell, even with Montreal. Tell me which welfare state has subways like Boston or NYC? Commuter rail like in Boston? NYC commuter rail is a bit better, but still is not even close to German railways.
And all of the above we get for taxes which are very similar to Germany. No, they are not much lower, it's something with your math. And in absolute value we pay waaay more than in Germany given higher salaries.
No, I'm not getting "welfare state" benefits, I'm getting a pretty crappy medical service for a price which is waaay higher than in Germany. And if I lose my job I will be paying 2K/month + copays and co-insurances, not mentioning deductibles, unlike in Germany. And God forbids you get into a hospital without insurance, your jaw will drop to the floor when you see the bill.
Have you ever been in the Boston subway? Compare it with almost any city in Europe, hell, even with Montreal. Tell me which welfare state has subways like Boston or NYC? Commuter rail like in Boston? NYC commuter rail is a bit better, but still is not even close to German railways.
And all of the above we get for taxes which are very similar to Germany. No, they are not much lower, it's something with your math. And in absolute value we pay waaay more than in Germany given higher salaries.