No coincidence that Germany has lower effective rates than the US? Of course not - Germany positions itself well to support industries that support Germany. But they reserve the right to punish you through taxes, too, if they feel the need.

Keep in mind these are averages. Some types of businesses get better treatment than others in certain locations.

For example, Utah has a corporate income tax rate of 5%. Ohio has no corporate income tax, but will tax a business 0.26% of gross receipts. If I had a business with a 10% profit margin, where would I…

Well, the two charts aren't for the exact same year, but the simple answer is their taxes are simple. Ever hear of a flat tax? No credits, no deductions? If you did that, your statutory rate and effective rate would be the same.

Nope.

Germany is like the US - a highly complex tax law that also leads to huge tax incentives that mean the effective rate is much lower than the statutory tax rate. Big breaks for industrial equipment depreciation, for example...

It is odd that we tax based on a mailbox location and not where revenue is generated.

IMO, a more logical system would be this: We don't tax a thing on what companies earn in other countries. However, we tax their US earnings with a simple overall corporate tax rate: For a theoretical mark, let's say 20%. That base…

Delphi is fighting it, and it's fairly obvious why. The US has some of the highest corporate tax rates around, so they'll do anything to help that bottom line.

I guess our skyscrapers aren't tall enough. That, plus it would be embarrassing to get lost in downtown when it is laid out on a grid and streets are numbered...

I've never had a GPS ever show me off a road like that unless its maps were hopelessly out of date - my first one had that... but back then, map updates were $$$. Nowadays, there's no reason not to get the lifetime maps when it rarely costs more than $10-15 more than without. Even then, such errors were very rare…

Tool kits, spare parts, and co-drivers who can wrench are great, but sometimes you simply won't be able to get your stalled car off the side of the road. Make sure you have AAA or some sort of roadside assistance offered by the manufacturer to keep you out of harm's way.

While your TomTom/iPhone/whatever else you use for a navigation system is great, an actual map will help you out when you're lost and without signal on your fancy GPS. Pairs well with a compass.

No, I don't mean you should drive a Jeep Compass, but you should bring a real old-school compass. It always seems that you only get lost when you don't have cell service.

Nope... Palio

An invaluable skill, for certain. I can't wait until the kids are old enough for it...

It's not my fault being the biggest and the strongest. I don't even exercise.

I could kill you now....

Well, this disclaimer isn't for vehicles that have been recalled - that's the key. If the vehicle has been recalled, then Honda has done their part... but for ones not recalled, this could amount to a legal admission that they know something might be wrong.

Not quite. It actually started in late 2008...

If this is accurate, this waiver is an absolutely idiotic move by Honda. Why ? It indicates that they're aware that the vehicle may be defective... so signing this waiver is probably more likely to get Honda in trouble than it is to cover their asses... You simply can't get customers to sign off on a waiver on a…

Considering that Honda has been recalling vehicles for dangerous airbags for years and they're still having the problem, I wouldn't say that they have been so prompt. Better than GM? Without a doubt.... just not perfect.