The Myth of Scandinavian Socialism

[arnisador]

The whole idea of "lets just try something" on a national/economic scale is a pipe dream IMO....

Isn't the opposite of this "Let's do nothing", though?

 

[Makalakumu]

Isn't the opposite of this "Let's do nothing", though?

One thing that has always stood out for me is the idea that these smaller population countries have a much greater degree of control on their government and it seems to serve the people a little better than large population governments. This only makes sense because the people can tailor the government to fit their own needs better. Perhaps the lesson here is that the US is simply too large on the federal level and that the States could be much better off by being more independent. They might not do everything like the Scandinavians, but than again, they might.

 

[Tgace]

One thing that has always stood out for me is the idea that these smaller population countries have a much greater degree of control on their government and it seems to serve the people a little better than large population governments. This only makes sense because the people can tailor the government to fit their own needs better. Perhaps the lesson here is that the US is simply too large on the federal level and that the States could be much better off by being more independent. They might not do everything like the Scandinavians, but than again, they might.

Which is what the founding fathers envisioned for us IMO..the Civil War took us off the rails....

 

[Cirdan]

The whole idea of "lets just try something" on a national/economic scale is a pipe dream IMO....Norway didn't just "try something"...their nation is a result of many influences over their history cooked in a pot containing all the ingredients mentioned in bills post.

Different ingredients, different method of cooking different results.

We are not Norway.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

Well actually trying out new things is very much in the part of the norwegian character. We even jokingly (with a heavy slice of irony) refer to our own country as "the differentcountry" because of our willingness to do new strategies. Not my intention to brag, this is like germans being good at drills/routine (which norwegians suck at), the french being detail-oriented and americans masters of super-sizing.

Wouldn`t dream of telling the US how to do things however. I imagine your society, with among other things less of a "safety net" and greater rewards for personal success, is the way you want it to be.

But you SHOULD try some of our Brown Cheese

 

[TimoS]

But you SHOULD try some of our Brown Cheese

Knowing Norwegians, you probably make it out of herrings

 

[Cirdan]

Knowing Norwegians, you probably make it out of herrings

I thought that would appeal to the finnish? Good for a snack with the vodka in the sauna...

You Know You've Been In Finland Too Long, When...

You know how to prepare herring 105 different ways.
You meticulously manage your plastic bag collection.
You don't think twice about putting wet dishes in the cupboard.
Silence is fun.
Your coffee consumption exceeds 8 cups a day.
Your native language has seriously deteriorated. Now you "eat medicine", "open the television", and "close the lights off".
You associate pea soup with Thursday.
Your notion of street life is reduced to hanging out in front of the railway station on Friday nights.
After giving presentations, you finally stop asking "Are there any questions?"
Hugging is reserved for sexual foreplay.
You no longer look at a track suit as casual wear, but consider it acceptable for formal occasions. Neither do you see a problem wearing white socks with loafers.
You accept alcohol as food.
You no longer eat mashed potatoes - you eat smashed potatoes.
You understand why the Finnish language has no future tense.
You know that "one" beer means "let's get pissed."
When a stranger smiles at you, you assume he is drunk, insane, or American.
You've become lactose intolerant.

 

[Cirdan]

Did I mention Norway got a rich cultural life? Here is some light entertainment on Oslo`s main street last saturday. Cultural activity like this is exempt from tax of course.

 

[TimoS]

Did I mention Norway got a rich cultural life

I must say that I like that sort of culture

 

[Cirdan]

I must say that I like that sort of culture

Sometimes even herrings and vodka just ain`t enough

 

[TimoS]

Yup, herrings and vodka ain`t all after all

True By the way, since we're talking about the greatest part of the world, Scandinavia, do you know what Sweden has but neither Finland nor Norway has?












Great neighbors, of course

 

[Cirdan]

True By the way, since we're talking about the greatest part of the world, Scandinavia, do you know what Sweden has but neither Finland nor Norway has?




Great neighbors, of course

My first thought was envy for their neighbors but that works too

 

[TimoS]

[yt]pw3e64sosEg[/yt]
[yt]k1hXbGXKyng[/yt]

 

[Cirdan]

John Cleese on Norway: