Reminds me of a travel program we were watching at a relative's home many Thanksgivings ago.
Oprah was in one of the nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden--I can't remember which) doing a travelogue to show how socialism worked so well for them.
She was in a local's home interviewing them and having them show the TV audience their home.
The home was nice but very sparse of "things" and "stuff" most people in America have in their homes. Knick-knacks, pictures on the walls, collectables, etc. things that make a house a home. Oprah was going on and on about the people in this country got everything for free basically and lived comfortably.
But she was bothered by the lack of anything in the home but the sparse, bare necessities. She asked the woman if that was the custom in the country or was that just her choosing not to have "things".
The woman spoke up and replied that their taxes were so high that they had no money to buy anything but the bare essentials.
It took Oprah all of 2 seconds to end the interview and clear out of the home.
Why? Because it went against her premise that these people lived grand lifestyles with the government paying for free this and free that.
Basically, the woman told her they were taxed so much that they were poor.
The operating tenet: the more socialism you have, the less freedom and discretionary cash you have. It's your choice America (use it wisely).
I have a friend whose son spent a college semester in Denmark his senior year. He said that everything was horrifyingly expensive. He ate meals with the host family or at 7-11 because even a sandwich and drink at a restaurant would set you back at least twenty-five bucks U.S.
The minimum wage in Denmark is apparently around $25.