39% income tax on anyone making over $110k USD and tons of public benefits. The U.S. has the same issue here, I recognize that, except it has better tax rates for those making under $500k. No utopia either place. 

The hate speech laws were in reference to the European places you listed. 

I would place my bets on NZ going along with the state next time around over the U.S., but it was nice to see she was finally chased out. Those lockdowns and vax restrictions were just so totalitarian, I don’t think I’ll ever look at NZ the same again. Same here, as well, however. 

We have more problems for a whole host of reasons, which are way too long for a chat on Nostr, but we still have a frontier individualist streak in us that I have yet to see anywhere else in the world. I have faith that we will reclaim our founding principles from the cretins in the deep state that you mentioned. It’s sad that the rest of the world resents us, rightfully so, because of those evil people. The tide is turning. 

Either way, appreciate the discussion. 

 For what it’s worth, I did a little more digging on NZ speech rights and you guys do have a hate speech law. You are not allowed to “incite racial disharmony”. So, add that to the list too. As noted before, I appreciate the discussion. 

 Oh right I forgot about that one. There was a big push to add new hate speech legislation that failed.

We also aren't allowed to discriminate on the basis of political view.  Which violates free speech rights, but prevents cancel culture.