Posted on 05/17/2011 12:53:21 PM PDT by WesternCulture
I know. I agree.
I’m not Jewish.
“2. If you lack a proper role model, why don’t you work out things for yourself? Are you too stupid too learn how women wish to be treated?”
?????????????
I always treat women like ladies. Some “modern” women seem to resent that - but most don’t.
Its more than talk.
Swedish women ARE beautiful. Ann Margret is one of the most beautiful women I ever saw - even today.
- I'm Swedish.
To begin with, a Conservative lead alliance of parties have won the last two national elections (2006 and 2010) in my country. Once, Swedish politics was all about the Social Democrats (who ruled with the aid of the Communist Party and later on with the help of the Green Party/Miljöpartiet and the said Communists).
Income taxes have been lowered a lot since 2006 over here and year by year, Swedish businesses are growing stronger and stronger on the global scene (with the possible exception of SAAB Automobiles). More importantly, so is SUPPORT for Capitalist ideology. Today, very few Swedes call themselves “Socialists”. Twenty, thirty years ago, a lot of us did (although I, personally, never have).
The rest of the Nordic economies all display healthy growth figures as well as those of the Baltics, the BeNeLux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg) and - luckily enough - even Germany.
Like you probably are aware of, the German economy is the single largest national economy in all of Europe. Naturally, it is often seen as the economic engine of the continent. After decades of modest growth, it is estimated that German GDP will grow with around 5% this year.
What has made this part of Europe successful recently (unlike Spain, Greece and Portugal)?
Basically, I think it is a question of Lutheran work ethics as well as bad experiences with big governments, irresponsible trade unions and high taxes that don't respond to what people are getting out of the system for themselves.
It sometimes is said that religion plays little role in secularized Northern Europe of today, but The Lutheran culture actually still is very dominant in all aspects of societal and social life in the Nordic countries (Scandinavia + Finland), as well as in large parts of Germany.
Although there is a trait of “collectiveness” in our way of life that sometimes has lead us wrong in history, there also is a strong present norm of self reliance and responsibility. We “look after our own house”. Secondly, especially in the Nordic countries, the citizens have always felt as part of the government. In my country, even peasants enjoyed representation in parliament since the 17th century. Feudalism never existed in my nation; instead, free men were running their own farms.
This mentality and historical background is vital. Unlike the case in France, Brazil or Pakistan etc., the citizens of the Nordic countries feel as part of the government and are willing to share responsibility over issues like public expenses and national debt. That's a good start if you wish to build a successful nation.
To the degree the inhabitants of a country understand that things like slow economic progress, high taxes and huge national deficits affect their and their children's future they will react. But in many countries people just don't care. In Italy for instance, where I have good friends, people blame the economic standstill on Berlusconi and carry on as usual.
The problem in America is that lots of people today are searching for an answer to the nation's economic problems in the very same Socialist nanny-state ideology that many Europeans today are rejecting for good reasons.
In any case, I believe there still is hope for America, as US citizens probably understand the very idea of true freedom better than any other people.
The future of Western Civilization needs to be even more orientated towards Capitalism and liberty - or there will be no future for Western Civilization..
“I always treat women like ladies.”
- In that case, I apologize. You have my respect.
Regards.
“I understand the top corporate tax rate is Sweden is 26.3%. In America, the top corporate tax rate is 35%. It is interesting to see “Socialist” Sweden with a much lower corporate tax rate than the United States”
- Good point.
I’ve ran a business of my own over here in Sweden, so I guess that means I know what I’m talking about.
The Swedish rules for corporate taxation are indeed very generous and as long as you play by the book you couldn’t ask for a better business environment - every actor is honest; suppliers, customers and even government officials!
Mutual confidence is intrinsic to overall business expansion and Scandinavia has it.
Okay, Scandinavia is expensive, but doing business here really pays off if you’re serious and have something of real substance to offer to the market.
Russia will Crushya.
“Sweden has singelhandedly defeated Russia and Germany in war”
Finnish soldiers were important.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakkapeliitta
“The hakkapeliitta-style cavalry was first used during the Polish-Swedish Wars of the late 16th century. In the early 17th century the cavalry led by the Field Marshal Jacob De la Gardie participated in campaigns against Poland and Russia. The Hakkapeliitta cavalry men led by Field Marshal Gustaf Horn were vital to the Swedish victories in Germany during the Thirty Years’ War.”
“Finnish soldiers were important.”
- Indeed true.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Without Finland, Sweden would be nothing.
I have both Swedish and Finnish blood running through my veins.
I never get tired. I never give up. I never quit.
Being perfectly honest, I’ve actually performed physical labour at an industrial plant for 48 hours in a row without rest. Call me insane.
All I know is I love my country and I once was the employee of the month.
Sorry fellas, Sweden has never singelhandedly or with allies defeated Germany!
"The different German states became first unified in 1871, with the inception of the German Empire." That was when Germany first existed as a Nation.
There were wars between Germanic principalities and Sweden but there was NO German nation before 1871.
And in no way am I trying to stir up trouble between you WesternCulture and myself. I am of German birth (proud of it) but if I couldn't be born German, I'd want to be born Swedish.......or Norwegian.....maybe Finnish............I definitely wouldn't want to be French.
On a side note. I met an engineer a few years back who spoke with a Polish accent but his last name (I have forgotten it) didn't seem to be Polish. He told me it was actually Swedish. His story was, that several generations back, when Sweden's army was in control of parts of Poland, one of his ancestors was a Swedish soldier who settled in Poland after the Army had moved on.
The brilliant tactics of Gustavus Adolphus lead to the defeat of Catholicism on North European soil.
Wish to argue with that?
Visit Protestant Northern Europe.
Thanks you for your correction.
Wish to argue with that?
Visit Protestant Northern Europe."
Visit Protestant Northern Europe? I was born in Northern Europe and I'm Protestant. No argument from me.
Lighten up my viking friend.
Sweden would be destroyed and cease to exist in under 30 mins if we so desired. Stop with the sweden supremacist BS its tiresome. Your subs would easily lose a battle of attrition to the US. You are getting over run with muslims and and losing your culture. Same with germany. We have our problems but your demographics are suicide. We will right our ship soon and remember those who kicked us. Our strategic arm of our military is unmatched. ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.