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Spent a few days in Copenhagen and Arhus and I had the greatest experience. I had been doing some research about Denmark especially given the fact that they are overall the happiest people in the world and the most satisfied with their health care system.
Everytime I travel to a different country, I just get this feeling that the US is a very overrated country, it also makes me realize how many lies Americans are told on a daily basis, this whole, "We are the greatest, no one compares to us" is truly a bunch of BS. Beautiful country, very safe, no guns, no homeless people, a very happy bunch of people overall
High taxes, and some evil socialism does not seem to be all that bad after all.
I lived in Germany for three years and my eyes were opened to what I'd been taught growing up in the U.S. - you know, we're the only free country on the planet, greatest place on earth, blah, blah, blah. I soon realized that the Germans (and other Europeans) were not oppressed, they were free, there was not widespread poverty (this was in the late 80s/early 90s pre-reunification, so I'm not so sure about poverty now), there was a very large and healthy middle class, and it was a very safe country. I'm half Danish, so enjoyed visiting Denmark as well.
Those wealthiest bunch of people in the world who happen to be Americans do not represent the majority of us who aren't basking in wealth. You're using rare examples. Just what PERCENTAGE of Americans have a rags-to-riches story?
Opportunity is one thing, reality is another.
And as far as Danes "who don't have a shred of guilt for working as little as possible at the expense of those who produce" -- why wouldn't they? Why should they have to become a workaholic and pay over 65% tax? I'd do the same thing, wouldn't you?
It's called working SMARTER and not HARDER.
This is one area where the Republicans have really done a good job... convincing the average American that they have a decent chance at becoming rich! SUCKERRRRRRRSSSSS!!!!
This is one area where the Republicans have really done a good job... convincing the average American that they have a decent chance at becoming rich! SUCKERRRRRRRSSSSS!!!!
Like sitting on public assistance is ever going to help you get ahead
Liberals thinking that welfare is the answer... suckerrrrrrrrrrsssss!!!!
Everytime I travel to a different country, I just get this feeling that the US is a very overrated country, it also makes me realize how many lies Americans are told on a daily basis, this whole, "We are the greatest, no one compares to us" is truly a bunch of BS. Beautiful country, very safe, no guns, no homeless people, a very happy bunch of people overall
High taxes, and some evil socialism does not seem to be all that bad after all.
Indeed! Not to mention, most Danes, Norwegians and Swedes have superb English language skills and are often quite willing to engage in a bit of civil dialogue about their society
Spent a few days in Copenhagen and Arhus and I had the greatest experience. I had been doing some research about Denmark especially given the fact that they are overall the happiest people in the world and the most satisfied with their health care system.
Everytime I travel to a different country, I just get this feeling that the US is a very overrated country, it also makes me realize how many lies Americans are told on a daily basis, this whole, "We are the greatest, no one compares to us" is truly a bunch of BS. Beautiful country, very safe, no guns, no homeless people, a very happy bunch of people overall
High taxes, and some evil socialism does not seem to be all that bad after all.
Great post.
Denmark was recently cited as being one of the happiest nations on earth. Far less income disparity, "paid for" healthcare, cheap/free tuition and a great social safety net. No wonder those people are happier....and less income disparity = less crime and less of the "dog eat dog" mentality.
The US is overrated as being the best place on earth. It's really not.....it just depends on what you look for in life. Of course, you can be really, really rich here, but this is the LAST place in the developed world that I'd choose to be poor, or even middle class.
Like sitting on public assistance is ever going to help you get ahead
Liberals thinking that welfare is the answer... suckerrrrrrrrrrsssss!!!!
The difference is that Danes (and others) don't fear their governments in the way that narrow minded people like you do. They see the government as working for them and all pay their taxes to fund and maintain their safety nets, because that's what they CHOOSE to do. If that were not the case, millions of Danes would be taking to the streets of Copenhagen in protest, so why are they not? Maybe the majority of them are happy with their system and would not want a dog-eat-dog society like ours.
I lived in Germany for three years and my eyes were opened to what I'd been taught growing up in the U.S. - you know, we're the only free country on the planet, greatest place on earth, blah, blah, blah. I soon realized that the Germans (and other Europeans) were not oppressed, they were free, there was not widespread poverty (this was in the late 80s/early 90s pre-reunification, so I'm not so sure about poverty now), there was a very large and healthy middle class, and it was a very safe country. I'm half Danish, so enjoyed visiting Denmark as well.
The funny part is that Germans, Danes, British people and French people are actually more "free" than we are. They enjoy far more tolerant societies, paid for healthcare and they work fewer hours than we do.
I am tired of us (as a nation) judging other nations and asserting that we are the best nation on earth. That in itself is up for debate and if life is so great here, why is our average life expectancy worse than those countries? Answer: many Americans are MISERABLE and brainwashed into a life of corporate servitude. Our fear has allowed us to be controlled by our corporate masters and we will keep believing the lies that are shoved in our faces, masquerading as the "American Dream".
"the EU has "the highest proportion of drinkers and the highest level of alcohol consumption. Especially among youth, Denmark stands out as a country of problem drinkers. Denmark, home of Hans Christian Andersen and the Little Mermaid, tops the list for problem drinking in many categories, especially for youth "
Yes, they grow up with far more direct exposure to alcohol but their drinking style is not a result of some nationwide depression. And they have EXCELLENT public transportation systems and a near zero (if not zero) tolerance for drink driving. I find it a better model than the binge style of drinking that a lot of American teens and young adults accustom themselves to. Unfortunately, many communities in America pretty much require having a car to get around and bar goers often forego the designated driver system, hence all the deaths due to drunk driving. Pretty sad and unnerving.
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