Swedish entrepreneur Johan Stael von Holstein believes that the shackles of nearly 70 years of socialism be cast off and replaced with a generation that has a completely different attitude towards risk, reward and the state's role in society. Is he correct, or will the Lilliputians rise up and strike down this Scandinavian Gulliver?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c44c51f8-14bb-11dd-a741-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1
Originally posted by der schwarze Ritterin sweden, as in norway, people are very fond of our social-democratic systems, including the principles of the welfare state. even conservatives here agree to that. and the next generation that is growing up have the socialist ideals of solidarity just as engrained as the previous one, and the one before that etc. i can understand that to a texan this seems odd, but how can you knock it 'til you've tried it?
Swedish entrepreneur Johan Stael von Holstein believes that the shackles of nearly 70 years of socialism be cast off and replaced with a generation that has a completely different attitude towards risk, reward and the state's role in society. Is he correct, or will the Lilliputians rise up and strike down this Scandinavian Gulliver?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c44c51f8-14bb-11dd-a741-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1
Originally posted by MexicoYou do have a point about the Swedish education system. They use a vouture system that gives the parents the right and the money to put their kids in any school that the parent judges to be superior. They are trying (in two districts) to get a similar vouture system implemented for health care.
Have you ever been to Sweden? Have you Ever even spoken to a swedish person? Most of them like their systems, and they have one of the best education systems in the world..... They only complaint I've ever repeatedly heard from my swedish friends is about the cost of alcohol.
Is it not amazing that when something fails for a few generations people are usually smart enough to fix it?
Originally posted by StarValleyWyFirst off, I was close friends with a Sweedish person that visited the States. I believe they would have jumped at an opportunity to stay in this country if only their parents could come too.
You do have a point about the Swedish education system. They use a vouture system that gives the parents the right and the money to put their kids in any school that the parent judges to be superior. They are trying (in two districts) to get a similar vouture system implemented for health care.
Is it not amazing that when something fails for a few generations people are usually smart enough to fix it?
There are any number of things I don't need to try before I knock them. I'm sure human sacrifice would be near the top of the list. But right near the top would be universal socialism because history has shown it to be inferior to other systems.
Finally, every program in the US governmental systems arsenal of social welfare have failed. But we just keep pumping good money after bad to prove it just needs to be fixed. The only US Government program that accomplished its goal, the Cold War Military, was sumarily gutted as soon as we believed we won. The only message anyone can learn from that is to make sure you fail spectacularly so you will get more resources in the next budget.
Originally posted by MexicoMost of the Swedes I know make their own booze.
Have you ever been to Sweden? Have you Ever even spoken to a swedish person? Most of them like their systems, and they have one of the best education systems in the world..... They only complaint I've ever repeatedly heard from my swedish friends is about the cost of alcohol.
It's like the Dukes of Hazzard up there. Without a Boss Hogg.
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Sweden is a great social democracy and, like for all of the rest of us, up here in the North, it works damn well... better than the U.S.
If one stupid doesn't like it, he/she can (a) vote the right-wing party (who no matter how righ-twing they are they still respect the foundations of the social democratic model) or (b) pack his/her things and go to Ohio and start a burger joint.
Of course, like in Finland, I'm sure there are some 0.0002% voted parties that that guy can also support, like the Perusuomalaiset (True Born Finns) or the Finnish Communist Party, designed for the freaks who got their brain too dipped in alcohol or drugs... are just plain losers.
Originally posted by Seitse'Vote for the Losers Party ... you'll never be disappointed.'
Of course, like in Finland, I'm sure there are some 0.0002% voted parties that that guy can also support, like the Perusuomalaiset (True Born Finns) or the Finnish Communist Party, designed for the freaks who got their brain too dipped in alcohol or drugs... are just plain losers.
Originally posted by dinosaurusI'm interested. How does history show a system of government to be inferior, and how do you judge inferiority in the first place?
But right near the top would be universal socialism because history has shown it to be inferior to other systems.
As you answer, keep China in mind.
Because Sweden is doing terribly badly at the moment, the welfare system is breaking down, Swedes are unemployable outside of their home towns and noone I ever meet wants to go there.
Then I'm not an FT subscriber so I haven't read the article so I'm really in no position to argue against this.
Originally posted by dinosaurusI know of several swedes who have been over to the USA. One in particular stayed for 8 years. Is moving home in a week, certainly didn't jump at the Idea of staying, she stayed out of love for here husband. Now that they have a kid both parents are moving back to sweden. Why? so their child can get a far better education than she ever would in the USA.
First off, I was close friends with a Sweedish person that visited the States. I believe they would have jumped at an opportunity to stay in this country if only their parents could come too.
There are any number of things I don't need to try before I knock them. I'm sure human sacrifice would be near the top of the list. But right near the top woul ...[text shortened]... that is to make sure you fail spectacularly so you will get more resources in the next budget.
Sweden isn't Universally socalist anyway, its just a little more socialist than most others. I grew up in a socialised education system (Ireland). To be honest I could never have afforded to to go to college if we didn't have that system. However now that I have my BSc I make more money, thus pay more taxes, thus provide the government with far more money than I ever would've if I hadn't gone to college. Better educated populace is a very good thing.
As far as I can see the reason systems like this don't work in the USA are
1. America's socialist paranoia, you say socialist or socialised to an American they instantly go from Socialist education - Universal Socialism - communism - cold war(evil commies) - "i'm not voting for that".
2 It's too big in the USA, socialising education now would be nearly impossible, too many people.
3. America is too diverse, there are too many wealthy people who wouldn't accept socialised systems because they will end up paying more than someone who earns less. Also the USA is a mongrel breed of other cultures and histories so it's very hard to have a system equalised for everyone.
There are a few others but I'm lazy and bored typing....
