How is America a better, or freer country, than say, Norway?
I keep hearing Americans saying, "we're number one; we're the best; we're the freeest country on Earth; we have freedoms that no one else has; everyone is lining up to get into America; I'm glad that I'm an American because we have money and freedom and the others don't! U.S.A, U.S.A, U.S.A!!!!" So, how would these ignoramuses, who probably can't find other major countries on the map, feel if America were compared to Norway: 1. Norway: 3% unemployment; America is now over 9% 2. Norway: low number of people living below poverty level; America has a substantial number. 3. Norway has a constitution which guarantees freedom of speech, religion and the press as America does. So, who says America's the only country with freedom? 4. Norway also allows citizens to own firearms, so don't give me that nonsense that only Americans are allowed to bear arms. 5. Norway has a higher per-capita income than the United States (look it up, it's a fact) 6. Yes, Norway has high taxes, but if you consider the high per capita income, it's still a lot of take-home pay, and those taxes supply you with universal health care (a system ranked higher than America's and one in which no one goes bankrupt over medical emergencies or is denied due to pre-existing conditions; also, university doesn't cost $50,000 per year and it's a great system). 6. Yes, Norway has high gasoline prices, but a car is not a necessity in most cities as they have excellent public transport. All right, Norway doesn't have the climate variations that America has (no Miamis or San Diegos for sun seekers, unfortunately) and they haven't put a man on the moon (how that makes your daily life in America better, I don't know), but how is America better overall for day-to-day living? They have freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, right to bear arms,prosperity, excellent education, excellent health care and low unemployment...so, what gives? Oh, by the way, to those who say, "well then just go move to Norway!" how about a response that requires some intellectual depth, i.e., "Hmmmm...sounds like those Norwegians are doing something right, how we can imitate their good qualities in our society to make it more peaceful and progressive?"
Other - Politics & Government - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Lol. You ar right. If you do a little research you'll find that the ones running their mouth with that gibberish as never been out of the US do not hold a damn passport. Don't get me wrong I'M American and proud to be; but it bothers me when these uneducated idiots are just making a mockery of their selves. It broils down to the military power of the US; we are a consumer nation you understand after a tragedy like 9/11 our president told us Oh go shopping, pathetic.
2 :
WOOOO!!! ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!
3 :
Technically Norwegians have more civil liberties too.
4 :
Your question has to be one of the best structured arguments to really kick-start a discussion on the issues of how to improve the US which is currently in a downward spiral. In my opinion one of the key obstacles which is preventing real progress in America is something which the Norwegians (and many other Northern and Western European countries) have addressed in recent years - simply that is the act of objectively evaluating the progress of their country. How did they do this you might ask? Well they put their people first. Their society, from social services which include health care to worker quality and balance of life far exceeds anything Americans can even imagine in their wildest dreams. Take for example vacation days. Americans work harder than many other nations but definitely not smarter - on average Americans are provided with 2 weeks vacation while the average Norwegian receives 5 weeks (with pay btw and some even get 7). And to top it off Americans are now working 45 - 50+ hours per week - hardly sounds like your employer has your best interest and well being at heart doesn't it? Well thats because they don't - you simply are a person who performs a job and if you won't do the 50+ work week there is someone else willing to jump right in. The reason I make this example is because America is a capitalist society so much so that they defend it regardless of the pressure it puts on them as individuals - I mean to tie it in with current events, people are DEFENDING private insurers who are gouging and deny (rationing) care today! While the promise of a system which puts patients first is being demonized and portrayed as the beginnings of socialism (which is no different than the construction of roads as they are 'socially funded' by the Fox definition). To point I am trying to make is that America has the potential to be a great country again it just needs to remember what made it great in the first place and I am not talking about 'freedom fries' but life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for ALL - not just those who reap the benefits of capitalism.
5 :
The Norweigans have solidarity. The Americans don't !
6 :
As a Norwegian myself, I just want to contribute by saying that I believe that our society works as great as it does because we took the best from Communism (In effect, equal rights for all, none gets everything, everyone gets a little bit) And mixed those ideas with the capitalist ideas of a free marked and privatised industry, giving everyone the freedom they want to travel, work or spend their free time as they see fit. (Maybe Im wrong, maybe Im not. But these are my thoughts)
