Scandinavia: Successful Socialism?
In America, we’ve been hearing an awful lot about the wonders of socialism and how we really ought to adopt that system in order to avoid many of the problems facing our country. Particularly with the recent popularity of outspoken socialist Senator Bernie Sanders among American millennials, Scandinavian socialism is being propped up as a way to fix our country.
We’re told about those countries in northern Europe that have nearly created an earthly paradise, where every societal ill is cured by a large, benevolent government. “Everything is free,” we often hear: free education, free healthcare, free childcare, free retirement, large unemployment benefits, lots of vacation time, and super-long maternity (and paternity) leave times. Add to that high wages, very low gun crime, low unemployment, and low incarceration rates. And how about low government corruption, very low national debt, and overall sound fiscal policy? Not to mention extremely progressive liberal societies that are often ranked at or near the top in global “happiness” surveys. Who could object to that? It would seem like a no-brainer to transform America into a Scandinavian-style welfare state. Or would it?
How About Those Taxes?
Most Americans are aware of the legendary high taxes that Scandinavian countries levy on their loyal citizens. Just how high are the taxes, and how do they compare to tax rates in America? The answer may, or may not, surprise you.
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