We are in Norway

[edyvw]

Ahead is subjective … also Norway is the size of a postage stamp compared to the USA both in population and geography.
One county on Long Island NY is almost the entire population of Norway for example and New Mexico is close to the same land mass of Norway.

Cannot be compared to the USA

True. I hate comparisons to the US of countries that are very homogeneous, small. Norway has pretty much the same population as Colorado, and it is some 40,000 sq miles larger than CO. CO population is just a bit over 5.9 million, and Norway is 5.6. CO median income is $92,000, while Norway is $89,000.
So, it is like comparing a state to the rest of the US, except CO is more diverse. The US is very complicated country, and requires far more compromises in policy etc.

 

[KrisZ]

Funny how pretty much everyone will name Norway or Sweden as the epitome of socio-economic "perfection" and that US should emulate them.

Well sure, but did you also know that they're like 82% all white and ethnic nords over there? Oops, cannot mention that.

 

[4WD]

They are what - 98% hydroelectric - who all can do that ?
and petrol is expensive … ? Sure, saw lots of EV’s there - in fact - rented a hybrid bcs charging at our hotel would have been a joke (too many EV’s)

Whilst I too have enjoyed travel there - comparing them to the USA is a bit silly …

 

[John105]

I was there July 1997. Not only was it super hot (maybe the hottest they had seen to date), but I thought it was fascinating that everyone had a handheld cell phone. My first would be issued by work in 1999.

 

[John105]

Funny how pretty much everyone will name Norway or Sweden as the epitome of socio-economic "perfection" and that US should emulate them.

Well sure, but did you also know that they're like 82% all white and ethnic nords over there? Oops, cannot mention that.

When I was in Stockholm in 1997, I was standing waiting for a bus, when a beautiful tall blonde woman said, "Varsagod." Based on the swift slap to my face, I misinterpreted its meaning

 

[JHZR2]

Specifically Oslo and now Bergen. Almost all taxi/Ubers are EV. Lots of Teslas, a few Toyota EVs. Norway gets about 97% of its electricity from hydroelectric plants.

This country is going GREEN.

Congrats on travel. You are in the minority being a traveler on this site. Yes-many countries in that part of the world are miles ahead environmentally than the U.S.

Norway has tons of hydro. Talk to actual people who have to rely on resources there, especially as you go north.

Tons of hydro, nearly free electricity.

They’re all upset since they’re putting feeders to the Continent, so they’re going to have to start paying market rates.

Norway also has a lot of oil, which is $$$$.

 

[JHZR2]

It works well in Norway, not much in the way of long distance travel. Contrast that with Florida, just getting myself out of the state in a Model 3 takes 2 charge stops.

Drive even half the country, and you might find out differently.

Jacksonville to Miami is about 350 miles. So it is viable to be a two charge trip, but not by much.

I took this trip a few years ago, was spectacular. It’s about the same as the trip from Richmond to Orlando.

And there’s a lot more country in both directions.

 

[edyvw]

Funny how pretty much everyone will name Norway or Sweden as the epitome of socio-economic "perfection" and that US should emulate them.

Well sure, but did you also know that they're like 82% all white and ethnic nords over there? Oops, cannot mention that.

It is more than that. The US because of its size and history of immigration, developed distinct cultures between regions. What works in CA, CO etc. doesn’t work elsewhere. That requires a lot if compromises on federal level. Even if you take one distinct group, they might be coming from distinct cultures. Italian and Irish discriminated against each other for longest time. Same goes for Poles, Russians etc, etc. Such complexity requires complex policy.
Norway for the most part kept that homogeneity. It is far easier to agree on policies.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I'm sorry to bother with facts again, but Norway is close to three times the distance north to south what Florida is. About 1100 miles, and that's if we stick to Oslo > North trips, which would be like taking Miami as a starting point in Florida.

If we take the geographical south of Norway (like starting from Key West in Florida) - we'd have to add another 250 miles. And I'm being nice, as the southernmost point of Norway is more like Monroe county in Florida, not like Key West.
Lyngdal to Kirkenes is 1700 miles if you stay in Norway. Google would route you through Sweden and save you 150 miles.

Norway is small in population, not too large in surface area, but in no way small as a country. Sort of like Chile. And their road infrastructure is complex, as their geography is merciless. And you can drive very, very long trips there. In Teslas.

Once again - sorry for the facts . Stepping out. Baby steps.

I would bet Norway does not have millions like here in the USA who pay absolutely zero taxes. Pretty hard to tax folks who earn nothing. Simple facts but..... THE END. As this will probably go off the rails into the forbidden zones that have no place here.

 

[goblin]

I was talking geography in what you quoted

As for their taxes - I was explaining in the previous quote why the the statement that they have free healthcare because no military expenses is false.
Whether their taxation politics is better or worse, whether it's sustainable, is a whole different story, which I have not even scratched.

PS: Turned out their military spending was 3.78% in 2022. Not 1.7%. I stand corrected.

 

[KrisZ]

It is more than that. The US because of its size and history of immigration, developed distinct cultures between regions. What works in CA, CO etc. doesn’t work elsewhere. That requires a lot if compromises on federal level. Even if you take one distinct group, they might be coming from distinct cultures. Italian and Irish discriminated against each other for longest time. Same goes for Poles, Russians etc, etc. Such complexity requires complex policy.
Norway for the most part kept that homogeneity. It is far easier to agree on policies.

Yes, totally agree, homogeneous culture is the driving factor here. I bet if you put Poles, Germans, Italians and others from all over Europe in Norway, it would be worse than America, as the cultures and mindesets are quite different. Just look at how many conflicts they have had over there over the course of History. And they’re all white and somewhat Catholic, which is quite mind boggling if you think about it.

What made America and Canada work was that people that immigrated here understood there will be no handouts and they will have to make it on their own.
That’s the American culture, work hard and reap the rewards, nobody will stand in your way and everyone has that exact same opportunity. It’s all up to you.

Sadly that has changed and the handouts are getting bigger and bigger to the point that many of our young adults expect some sort of government help, especially when it comes to their student debt. And it’s no wonder these circles praise the Nordic countries.

But what they don’t understand is that the culture over there minimizes the abuse of social programs. Most of the Swedes or Norwegians understand it’s for temporary help or when one is truly not capable of taking care of themselves, there is very little abuse. So these programs work over there.

 

[4WD]

Funny how pretty much everyone will name Norway or Sweden as the epitome of socio-economic "perfection" and that US should emulate them.

Well sure, but did you also know that they're like 82% all white and ethnic nords over there? Oops, cannot mention that.

There are equality based, equity based, and equinor based societies

https://www.equinor.com/about-us

 

[fdcg27]

There is no student debt in Norway because university education is free of cost there for citizens, just as it is almost everywhere in the developed world outside of our own country.
There is also no medical bankruptcy there, because the cost of care is limited to a low annual deductible, as is the case everywhere in the developed world, except for here.
Maybe we really can learn from other countries rather that trying to tell them how they should run things?

 

[goblin]

Facts again. Pernicious little critters, that. We should be careful. If we don't keep them in check, they'll get everywhere

 

[ecotourist]

We were in Norway in 2018. It's a beautiful country. We were in Bergen during a heat wave. It rains there most days. Our very nice hotel didn't have AC in the rooms so we all opened our doors to get some cooling from the hallways.

Eating out was very expensive so our group usually bought (very good) take-out from the grocery stores.

Even then there were lots of EVs. I believe EVs had and I suppose still have tax, parking and roadway advantages.

The Norwegians are very smart. They used their vast North Sea Oil-fields to create a huge fund for the benefit of future generations rather than just spending it like certain provinces/countries. They also invested the fund money abroad to limit inflation. Smart.

 

[ecotourist]

There is no student debt in Norway because university education is free of cost there for citizens, just as it is almost everywhere in the developed world outside of our own country.
There is also no medical bankruptcy there, because the cost of care is limited to a low annual deductible, as is the case everywhere in the developed world, except for here.

Higher education is not free in Canada but it isn't crazy expensive either.

No doubt there are problems with our health care system (not enough family doctors for a start), but when you need advanced and potentially expensive care, you get it at no or very little cost. My 3 day stay in hospital for a pacemaker last December cost us less than $10, and that was for parking.

 

[Japanese]

They are a NATO member and have been from the very beginning. NATO comes with mandatory military spending.

On paper, that means that their country is protected by the big bro US. Not that someone would want to invade an all time winter country with strange language and culture.

 

[02SE]

There is no student debt in Norway because university education is free of cost there for citizens, just as it is almost everywhere in the developed world outside of our own country.
There is also no medical bankruptcy there, because the cost of care is limited to a low annual deductible, as is the case everywhere in the developed world, except for here.
Maybe we really can learn from other countries rather that trying to tell them how they should run things?

My brother-in-law's mother legally immigrated from Norway as a young girl. Her brother still lives there. In the fairly recent past he developed a heart condition. He could have waited for them to get around to performing the procedure, and hope he didn't die in the interim, or he could come here and get the procedure immediately.

He came here, and is still alive today.

So, their healthcare is great, unless you really need it in a timely manner...

 

[KrisZ]

So, their healthcare is great, unless you really need it in a timely manner...

Exactly, Canada is the same. For regular check ups and such, it's great, but if you need specialized tests and treatment, you need to wait. Nobody cares if you die while waiting. Many choose to pay and go to US to get top notch care.
Free schooling? Well, the downside is that even low level jobs require higher education because companies have plenty to choose from. Even if the education doesn't match the job, corporations will always choose someone with the paper rather than without, it's simple as that.

The grass always looks greener on the other side.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I was talking geography in what you quoted

As for their taxes - I was explaining in the previous quote why the the statement that they have free healthcare because no military expenses is false.
Whether their taxation politics is better or worse, whether it's sustainable, is a whole different story, which I have not even scratched.

PS: Turned out their military spending was 3.78% in 2022. Not 1.7%. I stand corrected.

Sorry. Did not mean to attach my comment onto yours or make it seem that your comments are aligned with what I wrote. YES. My tax comment has nothing to do with anything you or anyone else wrote. It is ALL on me and my keys only.