Facts About Sweden

[Gustaf]

1. Sweden is ranked by the World Economic Forum as having I think thr 2nd best growth premises in the developed workd.

2. Sweden's GDP per capita is above the European average.

3. We have one of the best growth rates in Europe.

4. We've had voucher schools for a decade now.

5. We're one of the most pro-free trade countries in the world.

I could go on, but I can't be bothered.

[Gustaf]

I think that what you describe sums up the malady of socialism very well.

There's no reason to exert yourself when you will live just as well as if you don't.

A wealthy society can get away with this type of thing for a while, but not forever.  Eventually, irreversible economic decline sets in when the number of people who are net takers keeps growing in relation to those who are paying taxes.

I have also read that most births in Sweden now are illegitimate.  That will also have an impact on the economic side, for a number of reasons.

Those who encourage this type of economic and social liberalism have no idea of the road to hell that they are paving.

Gee, that is just bullsh**t, sorry. People here just don't marry, they still live together.

[Gustaf]

My sister is an exchange student in Sweden.  Living expenses are higher in Sweden (look at the cost of Vodka - it's like $40 a bottle), and she gets paid about $3 an hour to work in a university restaurant.

Sweden has high taxes on alcohol! That's not the same thing as high living costs.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

1. Sweden is ranked by the World Economic Forum as having I think thr 2nd best growth premises in the developed workd.

2. Sweden's GDP per capita is above the European average.

3. We have one of the best growth rates in Europe.

4. We've had voucher schools for a decade now.

5. We're one of the most pro-free trade countries in the world.

I could go on, but I can't be bothered.

Shut up Eurocommie

[Gustaf]

I think that if anyone actually knows anything about Sweden they're welcome to debate it. But a lot of you are simply being ignorant.

[dazzleman]

I think that what you describe sums up the malady of socialism very well.

There's no reason to exert yourself when you will live just as well as if you don't.

A wealthy society can get away with this type of thing for a while, but not forever.  Eventually, irreversible economic decline sets in when the number of people who are net takers keeps growing in relation to those who are paying taxes.

I have also read that most births in Sweden now are illegitimate.  That will also have an impact on the economic side, for a number of reasons.

Those who encourage this type of economic and social liberalism have no idea of the road to hell that they are paving.

Gee, that is just bullsh**t, sorry. People here just don't marry, they still live together.

I hope you're right.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

social liberalism have no idea of the road to hell that they are paving.

Sweden is not complete social liberal. They have illegalized prostitution and possibly will do same to porn.

you mean ban Playboy? Wow. I'm beginning to appreciate the US more and more, it seems the idea of much more liberal Europe is a bit of a myth and outside of the Netherlands, Belgium and maybe Germany, we might even be more free with sexual issues.

[opebo]

My sister is an exchange student in Sweden.  Living expenses are higher in Sweden (look at the cost of Vodka - it's like $40 a bottle), and she gets paid about $3 an hour to work in a university restaurant.

Sweden has high taxes on alcohol! That's not the same thing as high living costs.

Gustaf, could you give an outline of the cost of living there?  How much for an apartment in Stockholm?  How much for dining out?  A drink in a bar?

I would ask about girls but apparentely that isn't available.

[Huckleberry Finn]

social liberalism have no idea of the road to hell that they are paving.

Sweden is not complete social liberal. They have illegalized prostitution and possibly will do same to porn.

you mean ban Playboy? Wow. I'm beginning to appreciate the US more and more, it seems the idea of much more liberal Europe is a bit of a myth and outside of the Netherlands, Belgium and maybe Germany, we might even be more free with sexual issues.

I exaggerated a little bit. The truth is that some social democratic women's organization actually suggested it, but males probably crushed it.

[David S]

1. Sweden is ranked by the World Economic Forum as having I think thr 2nd best growth premises in the developed workd.

2. Sweden's GDP per capita is above the European average.

3. We have one of the best growth rates in Europe.

4. We've had voucher schools for a decade now.

5. We're one of the most pro-free trade countries in the world.

I could go on, but I can't be bothered.

Don't go away mad. You presented some interesting information here. I like the voucher school idea.  Are there private as well as public schools that accept the vouchers?

[Lunar]

My sister is an exchange student in Sweden.  Living expenses are higher in Sweden (look at the cost of Vodka - it's like $40 a bottle), and she gets paid about $3 an hour to work in a university restaurant.

Sweden has high taxes on alcohol! That's not the same thing as high living costs.

It was my impression that other living costs were high as well.  I realize though that my post was inaccurate. 

I wasn't actually trying to paint Sweden as a miserable place, just disputing Opedo's idea that it's a paradise.  Sweden's socialism doesn't really bother me, it seems to work fine for them.